Kelly Hansen, the frontman for the legendary rock band Foreigner over the past 20 years, made a surprise announcement during a live appearance on NBC’s The Voice to share that he will step away from the band at the end of their summer 2025 tour.
Hansen officially passed the torch to Luis Maldonado during the segment, and introduced him as the new lead vocalist. Hansen said: “being Foreigner’s frontman has been one of the most meaningful honors of my life. But it’s time to move forward and let someone else carry this legacy. Luis has the talent, the passion, and the spirit to bring these songs to life for years to come. I’m proud to welcome him as the next voice of Foreigner.” Maldonado then took over the mic from Hansen as the group performed “Juke Box Hero,” before the two delivered a duet of “I Want to Know What Love Is.”
Maldonado was formerly been a guitarist in the band, and also served as the interim lead singer for Foreigner during a Latin American tour. Maldonado said: “This music has been the soundtrack to my life. It’s a huge honor to take on this role, and I’m committed to delivering every song with heart and soul.”
Mick Jones, Foreigner’s founder and longtime guitarist, noted Hansen’s pivotal role over the past two decades (Jones stepped away from touring in 2022 due to Parkinson’s): “when I first started Foreigner in 1976, my goal was to bring together the best musicians I could find—and it worked. Decades later, with encouragement from Jason Bonham, we brought the band back with new energy. Choosing Kelly was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. He brought a fresh spirit to our music and helped reintroduce it to the world. Now, as we look ahead, I’m thrilled that Luis Maldonado will step up as lead singer. He’s already proven himself on the road in South America with incredible performances, and I believe he’s the perfect fit to guide Foreigner into the future.”
Foreigner’s 2025 tour will serve as a farewell run for Hansen, who will appear on stage alongside Maldonado in what is being described “as a symbolic passing of the mic” In addition, original singer Lou Gramm is expected to make select guest appearances during the tour.
In 2026, the band are set to headline a special five-night residency at The Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas in March; and they will celebrate their 50th anniversary with the debut of a new Broadway production titled Feels Like The First Time – The Foreigner Musical.
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