How Kelly Clarkson Signed Off Her Talk Show After 7 Years

Sep 01, 2026 - 01:05
0 0
How Kelly Clarkson Signed Off Her Talk Show After 7 Years

Kelly Clarkson Tears Up Discussing End of Her Daytime Talk Show in Emotional Interview

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and Kelly Clarkson’s TV exit is hitting us right where it hurts. 

The Kelly Clarkson Show officially ended after a seven-year run on NBC and the singer proved that everyone’s life would suck without her on the air during the Aug. 31 finale. 

Clarkson's final episode was coined "Kelly Clarkson by Request" which allowed Clarkson's fans and audience members to request her own songs or covers for her very last Kellyokes. 

“From the very first episode, music has been a cornerstone of this show," Clarkson explained during the last episode. "We’ve done over 1,000 Kellyokes, talked with hundreds of guests about songs that inspire their work and about everyday people who have the power of music transform their lives and the lives of those in their communities."

And Clarkson ensured that her series ended with music just the way it started—this time, with a cover of "Golden" by the KPop Demon Hunters cast, as well as performances of her own songs "Since U Been Gone," "Sober," "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" and more.

Clarkson also proved music will always be what defined The Kelly Clarkson Show, as she dropped her new single "I'd Be Lying" along with the last episode.

Naturally, Clarkson's kids River, 11, and Remington, 10—whom she shares with late ex Brandon Blackstock—were there in the audience to watch their mom's send-off, as she gave them a shoutout in the middle of the episode. 

And to sign off, Clarkson shared a sweet supercut of all of her kids' best moments on the series and let them share their favorite memories. 

"I liked talking to Jason Momoa," Remington said during the broadcast, "and singing 'My Way' with the band."

And River added, "I like watching you shine every single day."

Clarkson then welcomed her kids to the stage to sign off for the very last time. 

"I loved being in your homes each day," Clarkson mused to the camera, with her arms wrapped around her kids. "I love seeing my kiddos grow up on this show as well. I have immeasurable gratitude for everyone: the crew, the band, everybody here—thank you so much. This has been an incredible opportunity. Thank you for connecting with us."

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

In February, Clarkson announced she would not move forward with another season of her show, which premiered in 2019. Although she expressed excitement to turn her focus toward other creative endeavors, the 44-year-old previously acknowledged the ending is bittersweet.

For example, when Rita Wilson praised the “Miss Independent” singer’s musical segments during a May 27 appearance on the show and emphasized it has made “the biggest change” in her life, it brought Clarkson to tears. 

“I’m not crying,” Clarkson muddled at the time. “That’s so nice.”

However, the American Idol winner is also ready to move on, acknowledging that she needed to refocus on family following the death of her ex-husband Blackstock from cancer last year. 

“I think everybody gets the timing,” she shared during a February appearance on Today after confirming her seventh season would be her last. “Our family life, the dynamic changed a bit, and it has changed for a minute now. I think it’s one of those things like, you kind of start seeing life as how precious it is, too."

As she put it, “There’s just too much on the plate, so I was like you know what? It’s time to pull back."

Her daytime talk show is just one small chapter in Clarkson’s incredible career. For a look at Clarkson over the years, keep reading… 

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

2002

SGranitz/WireImage

2002

J. Vespa/WireImage

2002

SGranitz/WireImage

2002

Ray Mickshaw/WireImage

2002

Chris Polk/FilmMagic

2003

KMazur/WireImage

2004

Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage

2004

Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

2005

Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagic

2005

Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR

2006

Chris Polk/FilmMagic

2006

SGranitz/WireImage for The Recording Academy

2006

Elsa/Getty Images

2006

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

2007

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

2007

Mark Venema/WireImage

2008

Steve Granitz/WireImage

2009

Ray Mickshaw/FOX via Getty Images

2011

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

2012

Neil Mockford/FilmMagic

2012

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

2013

Larry Busacca/WireImage

2013

Rob Carr/Getty Images

2013

Frederick M. Brown/NBC/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

2015

Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

2017

David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

2018

Steve Granitz/WireImage

2018

Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

2021

Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal

2022

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App

What's Your Reaction?

Like Like 0
Dislike Dislike 0
Love Love 0
Funny Funny 0
Wow Wow 0
Sad Sad 0
Angry Angry 0

Comments (0)

User