Kelly Clarkson, the 43-year-old Texan singer, redefined her career in 2019 with the launch of The Kelly Clarkson Show on September 9. This talk show was created to fill the slot left vacant by The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which had nearly two decades of celebrity interviews and viral moments but faced controversy due to allegations of a toxic workplace.
Initially, Clarkson did not expect her show to surpass the viewership of its predecessor; however, it attracted 2.6 million viewers in its first week and eventually stabilized at an average of 1.2 million daily viewers. Over the past seven years, the program has become a staple in morning television, earning more than 20 Daytime Emmy Awards. Despite its success, Clarkson announced that The Kelly Clarkson Show will conclude next fall as she seeks to spend more quality time with her children during a challenging period.
The Kelly Clarkson Show prominently featured Clarkson's musical talents, showcasing her hit songs like Since U Been Gone (2004) and Stronger (2012). The show also included popular musical segments, such as a viral singing standoff with Anne Hathaway, which garnered 46 million views on TikTok.
Throughout its run, the show welcomed a multitude of celebrity guests. However, Clarkson has chosen to step back from her role as a talk-show host to focus on her children, River, 11, and Remington, 9, from her previous marriage to Brandon Blackstock, who passed away last August at the age of 48.
In early February, Clarkson announced via Instagram that the current season would be her last. “I have been extremely fortunate to work with such an outstanding group of people at TKCS, both in Los Angeles and in New York,” she wrote, expressing gratitude to her team, guests, and fans. This farewell post received significant attention, racking up 250,000 likes.
In explaining her decision, Clarkson emphasized the importance of prioritizing her children, stating, “Stepping away from the daily schedule will allow me to prioritize my kids, which feels necessary and right for this next chapter of our lives.” Even during her rise to fame, Clarkson prioritized family time, choosing to skip award galas in favor of vacations with her children.
Although she will no longer host a daily show, Clarkson plans to continue her music career. “This isn't goodbye. I will still be making music, playing shows here and there, and you may catch me on The Voice from time to time,” she added, thanking her followers for their support over the years.
A source shared with PEOPLE that Clarkson is looking forward to a more balanced lifestyle, saying, “After years of an intense daily schedule, she's excited to move at a different pace and have more flexibility to spend time with her kids without the structure of a daily show.”
The family continues to cope with the loss of Brandon Blackstock, who battled cancer for over three years. Just before the public announcement of his passing, Clarkson postponed shows in Las Vegas to be present for her children, explaining the situation on Instagram.
Clarkson and Blackstock were married in October 2013 after a year of dating. She filed for divorce in 2020, which was finalized two years later. The couple faced a complicated legal battle over custody and financial arrangements, with Clarkson ultimately gaining primary custody of their children. In 2023, she relocated from Los Angeles to New York City, where she recorded her show at the iconic Rockefeller Center.
A winner of the inaugural season of American Idol in 2002, Clarkson has captured audiences with her powerful vocal performances. Her remarkable voice has influenced many artists, leading to what has been called ‘The Kelly Clarkson Effect.' When she covered Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On, Dion praised Clarkson's rendition, saying it was “absolutely incredible.”
