From the bright lights of The Voice stage to the harsh reality of a courtroom, Season 25 runner-up Josh Sanders is now fighting a very different kind of battle. The country singer is locked in an increasingly bitter custody dispute with his estranged wife, Kendra, over their three children, with both sides leveling serious accusations.
The Josh Sanders custody battle erupted after the couple separated in January. Court documents obtained reveal a war of words and legal filings that have escalated to include arrest records and competing allegations of parental alienation, alcohol abuse, and domestic violence.
In his court filings, Sanders claims he should have primary custody because Kendra is actively trying to turn the children against him and is blocking his ability to co-parent. He also alleges that one of the children has expressed a desire to live with him, a detail he is using to strengthen his custody case.
Kendra has fired back with devastating accusations. She alleges that Sanders is an “active alcoholic” who “drank away” his professional opportunities after his runner-up finish on The Voice two years ago. More seriously, she claims he has driven drunk with their children in the vehicle and has been violent in their presence.
She is arguing that Sanders should be limited to supervised visitation only, insisting she can “provide a stable, loving, alcohol free home” for the kids.
The dispute has spilled beyond custody filings. Arrest records confirm Sanders was arrested in April for allegedly violating a domestic violence temporary restraining order. Earlier this month, Sanders filed a trespassing complaint against Kendra, signaling a relationship that has fractured beyond repair.
While the details of the restraining order remain unclear, Sanders has maintained it is tied directly to the ongoing custody dispute.
The legal turmoil has already impacted Sanders’ career. A July 4th performance in Faith, North Carolina was canceled after the town’s event committee cited his pending legal issues. A petition calling for his removal from the event had also circulated, adding to the public pressure.
Once a rising star on the verge of country music fame, Josh Sanders is now fighting to keep his family intact and his reputation afloat. With allegations of alcoholism and domestic violence on one side and claims of parental alienation on the other, the courtroom drama shows no sign of slowing down.
