Kelly Clarkson Reflects on Her Life’s Journey During Talk Show Discussions
Kelly Clarkson is reflecting on her seven-year experience as the host of her own talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, as she approaches its final episode.
“You know what? [In our] seven seasons, so much has changed in my personal life and in the world around us,” Clarkson, 44, stated in a YouTube video released on Friday, August 28. “We’ve experienced a pandemic. If I had to sum up The Kelly Clarkson Show in one word, it would be ‘pivot.’ It feels like no season has been typical, but it’s been vital to come to work and focus on others.”
She added, “Honestly, that has saved me many times, and I believe this show has enhanced everyone’s abilities in their roles.”
Clarkson launched her namesake NBC daytime show in 2019, just a year before the pandemic necessitated a shift to virtual production. The former American Idol winner later relocated the show to New York City in 2023 following her tumultuous divorce from ex-husband Brandon Blackstock. (Blackstock passed away in 2025 at the age of 48 after battling cancer privately.)
Clarkson shared in February that she made the choice to end her show to focus on her family, including her children River Rose, 12, and Remington, 10, whom she shares with Blackstock.
As she looked back on her journey ahead of the Monday, August 31 finale, Clarkson reflected on her time as a talk show host.
“It all started with my ex; he mentioned, ‘Hey, NBC is considering a talk show with me,’ and I thought, ‘That’s a terrible idea because I never stop talking,’” Clarkson reminisced about Blackstock’s original concept for the show. “Nobody really knew my personality at that level until The Voice, and I think they saw how at ease I was on camera and that I was fully committed.”
She continued, “I’m really engaged. They perceived that, and it’s genuinely just me. I’m the same person at 19 who auditioned for Idol that everyone got to know from the beginning. Working with the producers on that show and doing those brief segments probably prepared me more than I realized.”
Once she filmed the pilot for the talk show, Clarkson admitted her initial “ignorance [was] kind of bliss” as producers discovered the series “truly resonated” with test audiences.
“Sometimes, I find myself sitting across from guests and thinking, ‘How did I get the opportunity to chat with you?’” she humorously reflected on her celebrity interviews. “I’ve had the chance to speak with so many outstanding individuals I admire. You know, Julie Andrews, I’ve interviewed her several times. Who can say that? We’ve literally welcomed people from the White House. I mean, it’s been everyone from Heart to Alanis [Morissette] and so many others, including Pink. I’ve sung with people and thought, ‘What?’”
Receiving a yearbook of her The Kelly Clarkson Show memories last Friday, the singer reflected on how much has transformed over the seven years since the show began.
“Honestly, I forget some of these moments. And for me, my kids have essentially grown up alongside this show too,” she stated. “It’s been seven years, and these are crucial growing years for them. It’s been wild.”
