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what happened to claire sardina

Claire Sardina is alive, performing, and very much in the public eye again thanks to renewed interest in her life story from the movie Song Sung Blue starring Kate Hudson as “Claire.”

Quick Scoop: What Happened to Claire Sardina?

  • Claire and her late husband Mike Sardina were a Milwaukee-based Neil Diamond tribute duo known as Lightning and Thunder , whose love story and struggles were first told in the documentary Song Sung Blue and later adapted into a major feature film.
  • Mike died at age 55 from complications related to a head injury, effectively ending the original Lightning and Thunder act and leaving Claire to navigate life and music without him.
  • Years later, a Hollywood studio developed their story into the narrative film Song Sung Blue , with Kate Hudson playing a character based on Claire; Hudson’s performance has drawn awards buzz and major press.
  • Claire herself was contacted several years ago about turning the documentary into a “major motion picture,” and she has said she felt privileged and amazed that her life became a Hollywood story.
  • Today, Claire is in her 60s, living modestly in Apache Junction, Arizona, and performing as “Thunder After Lightning” as a solo act and in collaborations, keeping the spirit of the duo alive.
  • She’s been appearing at premieres, joining Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson onstage for songs at events, and doing interviews where she talks about how surreal and “like a dream” this late-career spotlight has been.
  • In early 2026, she has multiple confirmed show dates in and around Milwaukee, including guest spots at Neil Diamond tribute concerts and festival events, which means she’s active, touring, and engaging with fans.

In her own words, Claire has described the whole experience of seeing her life adapted and celebrated as “overwhelmingly exciting” and like a dream she doesn’t want to wake up from.

Mini Timeline

  1. Late 1980s–2000s: Mike and Claire form Lightning and Thunder, performing Neil Diamond tributes around Milwaukee and Chicago.
  1. Mike’s accident and death: Mike dies at 55 after a head injury, leaving Claire widowed and ending the original duo.
  1. Documentary era: Their story becomes the subject of the documentary Song Sung Blue , building a cult following.
  1. Hollywood call (around 5 years before release): Claire is contacted about turning the documentary into a major motion picture, which she initially finds unbelievable.
  1. 2025: Trailer and then full release of the film Song Sung Blue directed by Craig Brewer, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as the fictionalized Mike and Claire.
  1. Late 2025–early 2026: Kate Hudson receives major award nominations for playing a character based on Claire; Claire attends premieres, performs at events, and does media interviews.
  1. 2026 and beyond: Claire continues performing as Thunder After Lightning, with scheduled shows in Wisconsin and ongoing appearances tied to the film’s popularity.

Where She Is Now

  • Lives in Apache Junction, Arizona, in relatively modest circumstances despite the Hollywood attention.
  • Performs under the moniker Thunder After Lightning , sometimes with collaborators like T. Luciano and other tribute performers.
  • Makes guest appearances at Neil Diamond tribute shows and regional festivals, including events in Milwaukee in 2026.
  • Listed as a consultant on the film, and says the actors studied the original documentary to shape their portrayals.

Bottom line: Claire Sardina didn’t vanish or suffer a new tragedy; after losing Mike, she rebuilt her life, stayed in music, and is now enjoying a late burst of recognition as the real woman behind Song Sung Blue.

TL;DR: If you’re asking “what happened to Claire Sardina,” she’s a real former half of the Lightning and Thunder Neil Diamond tribute duo, widowed after Mike’s fatal head injury, now living in Arizona and performing as Thunder After Lightning while enjoying renewed attention from the 2025–2026 film Song Sung Blue and various live appearances.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.