The Kelly Clarkson Show

27 Dec 2023

Watch Olivia Rodrigo Open Up About Her ‘Emo’ Lyrics in ‘Lacy’ & ‘All-American B-tch’

Olivia Rodrigo didn’t just gush about Robert Pattinson and her Twilight-themed in-ears during her recent Kelly Clarkson Show visit. In a newly-shared clip from the appearance, the 20-year-old pop star gave new insight into a couple of the lyrics on her sophomore album Guts, which arrived in September and debuted atop the Billboard 200.

The first lyric Rodrigo touched on was the outro to her fan-favorite Guts track, “Lacy”: “And I despise my jealous eyes and how hard they fell for you / Yeah, I despise my rotten mind and how much it worships you.” “Very emo of me, writing that,” she told Clarkson, laughing.

“I took a poetry class at USC,” she continued. “I wrote a poem called ‘Lacy’ for one of the assignments, and I really liked it. I’m like, ‘I’m gonna turn it into a song!’”

The haunting ballad has inspired many a fan theory regarding its subject, with many speculating that the name “Lacy” is code for Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams or Sabrina Carpenter — all three of whom Rodrigo has history with. And though she is steadfast about concealing who her songs are about, she did tell the Los Angeles Times earlier this month that she enjoys when fans craft “more creative answers to who Lacy is,” such as her past self.

“I just think it’s not classy to come out and say it’s about this person,” she added at the time. “I also think that would set a weird precedent where I’d have to clear the air with every song I write.”

Clarkson also asked the Grammy winner about her opening Guts track, “All-American Bitch,” which swerves from ethereal choral moments to screamed grungey punk sections. Rodrigo opens by singing, “I am light as a feather, I’m as stiff as a board,” a play on the name of the children’s game involving lifting up a friend as a group with players using nothing but their fingertips.

“I always thought it was a really interesting phrase, I’ve been meaning to fit it into a song for a long time,” Rodrigo said. “[The game] seems kind of impossible. So I thought it was a good way to describe the impossible standards that are set for us as women.”

Watch Rodrigo break down her lyrics above.

12 Dec 2023

Watch Olivia Rodrigo Gush Over Her ‘Twilight’ In-Ear Monitors With Robert Pattinson’s Face on Them

Long before she released her hit single “Vampire,” Olivia Rodrigo was repping her favorite fictional blood sucker on tour.  

In a Tuesday (Dec. 11) appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, the 20-year-old pop star gushed about the custom in-ear monitors she used while touring in support of her debut album, Sour. On both of her earpieces, a photo of Robert Pattinson’s famous Twilight character Edward Cullen is printed over a purple background.  

“That’s my baby,” she joked to Clarkson. “He’s my guiding light on tour — you know I have to have my lucky charm.” 

The Grammy winner embarked on her Sour Tour in 2022. For her performances this year, Rodrigo said on the daytime talk show that she used in-ears stamped with Kim Cattrall’s Sex and the City character Samantha Jones. 

Following the release of her sophomore album Guts, the “Bad Idea Right?” singer will go on tour again starting in February. But the face she’ll wear on her in-ears for the six-month trek is still up in the air, she told Clarkson, who suggested Betty White. 

Rodrigo’s Kelly Clarkson Show appearance comes on the heels of her Dec. 9 return to Saturday Night Live, where she served for the second time as musical guest and made a cameo in one of the night’s sketches. With introductions from the night’s host Adam Driver, the former Disney star sang “Vampire” and “All-American Bitch.” 

The star also recently made her return to NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series, this time performing in the actual Tiny Desk office room instead of the pandemic-necessitated warehouse she sang in two years ago. 

Watch Rodrigo on The Kelly Clarkson Show above. 

01 Dec 2023

Dionne Warwick Didn’t Know Doja Cat Sampled ‘Walk on By’ in ‘Paint the Town Red’: ‘Doja Who?’

Doja Cat‘s “Paint the Town Red” is a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit thanks in part to a heavily featured sample of Dionne Warwick‘s “Walk on By.” And on the Friday (Dec. 1) episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, the 82-year-old singer recalled how she found out about the tribute — revealing she didn’t even know who Doja was at the time.

“I didn’t know it had been recorded by her,” she said, telling Clarkson that Doja didn’t need her permission to use the 1964 smash. “My granddaughter called me and says, ‘Grammy, do you know you’re on a record with Doja Cat?’ I said, ‘Doja who?’”

“Well, apparently, it’s a major hit for her,” Warwick added of “Paint the Town Red,” about which Clarkson confirmed, “Oh no no, it’s huge.”

“I’m thrilled,” replied Warwick. “I hope ‘Walk on By’ is as good for her as it has been for me. They’re great songs, and finally [young people] being exposed to some good music.”

When “Paint the Town Red” peaked at the Hot 100’s summit in September, it became Doja’s second song to do so and her first ever solo hit to reach No. 1. “B—h, I said what I said/ I’d rather be famous instead/ I let all that get to my head/ I don’t care, I paint the town red,” she raps over Warwick’s repeating “Walk on By” refrain.

Warwick’s song was also a top 10 hit in its day, peaking at No. 6 on the Hot 100 in 1964. Warwick herself has topped the chart twice, first in 1974 with her Spinners collaboration “Then Came You” followed by “That’s What Friends are For” featuring Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder in 1986.

Watch Dionne Warwick talk about “Paint the Town Red” on The Kelly Clarkson Show above.

30 Nov 2023

Tony Gonzalez Praises Taylor Swift Amid Her Travis Kelce Romance for Bringing ‘New Audience’ to NFL

Taylor Swift has become a full-blown Chiefs fan amid her romance with Travis Kelce, and now, former Kansas City star Tony Gonzalez is returning the love. 

On the Thursday (Nov. 30) episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, the retired tight end praised the pop star for generating more buzz for the NFL. “I think it’s great that Taylor’s done this for the NFL,” he said. “She’s brought a whole new audience.” 

And though he hasn’t played professionally since 2013, Gonzalez recently saw Swift’s impact in action when a young fan approached him at the airport. “Men usually come up to me … and occasionally a woman — but a 10-year-old girl?” recalled the Hall of Famer, laughing. “I was like, ‘Oh, how cool, I’m getting so popular!’ She goes ‘Hi, is your name Tony? Do you know Travis Kelce?’” 

Gonzalez — who started his career with the Chiefs and was later traded to the Atlanta Falcons — is one of many NFL pros to approve of the “Anti-Hero” singer’s enthusiasm regarding the league, following similarly positive remarks from the likes of Magic Johnson, who co-owns the Washington Commanders, Thursday Night Football announcer Al Michaels and even NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Others, however, have criticized sports media outlets’ coverage of Swift’s attendance at Kelce’s games. (Clarkson herself came under fire last month for saying that watching games on TV felt more akin to “Housewives” ever since Swift joined Chiefs Nation.) 

Gonzalez’s interview on the Kelly Clarkson Show comes shortly after Kelce became the fourth and fastest tight end to ever reach 11,000 receiving yards in the NFL. Earlier this month, he also broke Gonzalez’s record for most receiving yards in Chiefs history, something Gonzalez congratulated his successor for on Twitter. “Congrats and well earned my friend! Keep it going ??,” he wrote. 

Gonzalez also gave Kelce props for the record when talking to Clarkson, adding that the Ohio native is “such a good dude.” 

Watch Tony Gonzalez’s interview above. 

29 Nov 2023

Paris Hilton Said She ‘Was Crying’ When She Read the Kind Thing Britney Spears Said About Her in Memoir

On Wednesday’s (Nov. 29) Kelly Clarkson Show, the host asked guest Paris Hilton about a throwback picture the socialite/DJ recently posted of herself and pal Britney Spears way back in 2006 in which Hilton bragged that the dynamic duo “created” the idea of the selfie. Clarkson noted that like HIlton — who earlier this year released Paris: The Memoir — Spears has stepped up to give a first-hand account her life story in her recent best-selling tell-tell, The Woman in Me.

In the book, Clarkson noted that Spears wrote, “one of the people who was kindest to me when I really needed kindness was Paris Hilton.” Lamenting that good news doesn’t often get as much attention as awful news, Clarkson said it was cool to read something kind that lifted someone else up.

“I was crying when I read that, that really touched me,” said Hilton, who, like Spears, wrote about some very challenging times in her life in her book. “She’s just so strong, I love her so much and I’m just so proud of her for speaking her truth and writing this whole book. That quote meant a lot me when I read it.”

Clarkson — who also knows the rigors of being a young person thrust into the spotlight thanks to her rise to fame at 20 after winning American Idol in 2002 — said she could relate to both women’s rocky journeys. “I feel like there has to be purpose in the things that happen to us, the good and the bad. And I love that you’re a really big advocate for [the] troubled teen industry… because you had struggled,” Clarkson said.

Hilton said she’s proud of the impact she’s made by advocating for changes in the “troubled teen” industry to prevent the kind of abuse she said in her book she suffered she she was shuttled between different facilities where she was physically and mentally abused between the ages of 16-18.

Watch Hilton talk Spears on The Kelly Clarkson Show below.

08 Nov 2023

Taylor Lautner Addresses Viral Eras Tour Movie Theater Backflip: ‘I Paid for It the Next Day’

It’s been about a month since the internet flipped out over Taylor Lautner‘s viral moment at a screening for Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour film. And his Wednesday (Nov. 8) appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, the 31-year-old actor and his wife, influencer Tay Lautner, opened up about what led up to his mid-movie party trick.

“Our friends just egg him on,” explained Mrs. Lautner, who co-hosts The Squeeze podcast with her husband. “If we’re ever doing something, they’re like, ‘Do a flip!’”

The moment in question was caught on camera in October, one night after Swift held the world premiere of her concert film in California on Oct. 13. That weekend, the Lautners revealed to Clarkson, they rented out a movie theater for their friends to watch the movie, eventually leading to Mr. Lautner trying out his backflipping skills while Swift performed “Karma” onscreen.

The gymnastics demonstration didn’t come without cost, however, with the Twilight star admitting he felt a bit sore afterward. “I paid for it the next day,” he told Clarkson. “It was rough after that evening.”

Swifties know that Lautner is no stranger to backflips, especially where Taylor Swift is involved. In July, he made a surprise appearance at an Eras Tour show in Kansas City for the premiere of the pop star’s “I Can See You” music video, in which he stars alongside Joey King. And instead of simply walking onstage, he impressed the crowd by flipping down the catwalk.

That night, Swift praised Lautner, whom she dated briefly in 2009 between her Fearless and Speak Now albums. “He was a very positive force in my life when I was making the Speak Now album, and I want to say he did every single stunt that you saw in that music video,” said the 12-time Grammy winner. “He and his wife have become some of my closest friends, and it’s very convenient because we all share the same first name.”

Watch Taylor Lautner talk about his viral backflip on The Kelly Clarkson Show above.

03 Nov 2023

Kelly Clarkson Is Ready for the Holidays With Jazzy ‘Love, You Didn’t Do Right By Me’ Cover: Watch

With Halloween officially behind us, the holiday season is now in full swing — and so is Kelly Clarkson‘s daily Kellyoke segment on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

The American Idol alum, who earlier this week sank her teeth into a cover of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire,” swapped the spooky vibes for something much lighter and jazzier, delivering her unique take on Rosemary Clooney’s 1954 track “Love—You Didn’t Do Right by Me” on Friday (Nov. 3).

Her band Y’all — which included a pianist, drummer, cellist and bass guitarist this time around — followed Clarkson’s vocals with ease as she hit the track’s soaring high notes and gave special attention during moments that put her stunning vibrato on display.

“Love you didn’t do right by me/ I’m back on the shelf and I’m blaming myself but it’s you/ My one love affair didn’t get anywhere from the start/ To send me a Joe who had winter and snow in his heart wasn’t smart/ Love You didn’t do right by me/ As they say in the song…you done me wrong,” she delicately sang on the chorus of the track.

The song was written by Irving Berlin for the 1954 American musical film White Christmas and was performed by Clooney in the holiday movie. The Christmas classic was directed by Michael Curtiz and starred Bing Crosby, who contributed the title song to the soundtrack.

Clarkson’s latest Kellyoke serves as a warm-up for her next gig as host and performer at NBC’s annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center telecast. The program is slated to air on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and will stream on Peacock.

Watch Clarkson’s latest Kellyoke cover in the video above.

21 Oct 2023

Kelly Clarkson Clarifies She Didn’t ‘Bash’ Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce’s Romance

Kelly Clarkson is setting the record straight about her comments regarding Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s romance.

During The Kelly Clarkson Show on Thursday (Oct. 19), the pop star and TV personality joked about the NFL’s constant coverage of the couple’s budding relationship.

“It’s not hilarious how it is literally taking over the NFL for people that like watching sports now,” Clarkson told her guest, Saturday Night Live star Bowen Yang. “It’s like you’re watching Housewives while you’re watching.”

She added, “They’re just talking about gossip things and you’re like, ‘So, what about the play?’”

On Saturday (Oct. 21), the “Stronger” singer took to social media to respond to claims that she was bashing Swift and Kelce’s relationship.

“Just a quick public service announcement everybody since this seems to be breaking news…” Clarkson began her message on Instagram. “Do not fall prey to clickbait, trash reporters twisting the facts again. I did not bash anyone’s romance. I am pro romance. Yay romance.”

She continued, “Did y’all even watch what I actually said on my show? I just said I want to watch football when I tune in to watch football. Seems an appropriate request. Okay, carry on, and GO COWBOYS!”

Both Swift and Kelce made surprise cameos during the season 49 premiere of SNL on Oct. 14. The pop star helped introduce musical guest Ice Spice and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end appeared in a skit that parodied the NFL’s Swift-centric coverage of her recent attendance streak at his games.

Check out Clarkson’s post on Instagram below.

18 Oct 2023

Kelly Clarkson Talks Leaving ‘The Voice’ and L.A.: ‘I Thought I Was Making a Horrible Decision’

Kelly Clarkson needed a reboot, so she did what a lot of people do when they feel like shaking up their lives: she moved. But in her case, the Burleson, Texas-born singer and talk show host who lived and worked in Los Angeles for 20 years pulled up roots and moved as far away as possible and is rebooting her life in New York.

With a new Rockefeller Center space for her eponymous daytime talk show — which kicked off its fifth season on Monday — the divorced mother of two young children is now closer to her extended family in North Carolina and fully into living her best life in the city.

“At this point, I’m 40 years old. Mama rented something nice!” Clarkson told USA Today. “I was like, ‘I’m not living here unless it’s right by the park and really nice for the kids.’” And though Clarkson has been doing all the New York things, including cheering for her Dallas Cowboys as they stomped the N.Y. Giants last month and watching her friend Chelsea Handler do standup at the Beacon Theatre.

And as much fun as she’s having, the singer, 41, told the paper that after finalizing her divorce from ex-husband Brandon Blackstock last year she wasn’t sure the mid-life time zone refresh was a great idea. “I’ll be real honest: I thought I was making a horrible decision,” Clarkson said of her nerves before pulling up stakes. “I knew I needed a fresh start and couldn’t be in LA. I really wanted to be in Montana, but you can’t really do a show from there quite yet. So I was like, ‘The only other option would probably be New York.’”

But after a couple of weeks, she said she realized she “genuinely” loves New York, “and I love that my kids love it,” she said of daughter River Rose, 9, and son Remington, 7. She immediately leaned in on the show, spotlighting some quintessentially N.Y. apartment/hotel door people during a taping last week in her new space, which was formerly home to David Letterman’s late night talk show.

Clarkson also talked about learning how to dial back her over-busy calendar, which included leaving her spot in a red chair on The Voice last spring after exhaustedly grinning and bearing it for the first four years of her talk show. “Full disclosure, I put on a smile a lot of those times because I was struggling a lot in my personal life,” Clarkson said. “I’ve learned a lot about what I’m capable of handling, and also what you should not handle. That was me saying ‘bye’ to The Voice and having this big move. I love that family, but I was like, ‘I’m struggling. I can’t smile anymore. I don’t feel like smiling.’”

Now, with the move and season five of the show on the air, Clarkson said she’s in “such a great place,” with her kids, her new home, the show and in her personal life. “I feel like a weight has lifted. That move was very needed,” she said. “I think the thing I’m most excited about with Season 5, on a selfish level, is just showing up to work smiling and actually meaning it. That’s a beautiful gift that you don’t realize until you’re out of it.”

13 Oct 2023

Kelly Clarkson Teases ‘Kelly Clarkson Show’ Season 5 Music Video Featuring Special Guests in NYC

The wait for The Kelly Clarkson Show‘s new season is almost over. And to celebrate the fast-approaching return of her daytime Emmy-winning series, Kelly Clarkson shared behind-the-scenes clips of an upcoming music video that will kick off season five on Monday (Oct. 16).

The BTS footage finds Clarkson strutting through the halls of 30 Rock — the new home of her previously California-based show — in a boss-like black pantsuit with cameras trailing her the entire way. At one point, the multi-hyphenate walks around outside through the streets of New York City, where a bunch of nearby fans can be heard cheering for the singer.

Clarkson isn’t the only star of the project, though. Also featured in the music video will be a handful of her new neighbors at 30 Rock, including Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager, Al Roker, Lester Holt and more. “I Won’t Give Up,” a song from the American Idol alum’s new deluxe edition of her June-released album Chemistry, will soundtrack the video.

“From season one, everything has happened,” Clarkson explains in the behind-the-scenes video. “We’ve not had one normal season. I love the fact that we’re singing ‘I Won’t Give Up.’”

“We pivot well,” she added, laughing.

The program’s new season comes after an extended break due the WGA writer’s strike, which resolved after months of picketing with a tentative agreement with Hollywood studios in September. In May, Rolling Stone reported alleged toxic work conditions at the talk show that Clarkson herself was largely unaware of.

“In my 20 years in the entertainment industry, I’ve always led with my heart and what I believed to be right,” Clarkson said in response to the accusations in a statement at the time. “I love my team at The Kelly Clarkson Show, and to find out that anyone is feeling unheard and or disrespected on this show is unacceptable.”

The first week of season five is slated to feature a number of famous faces, including Seth Meyers, Alanis Morissette, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sesame Street‘s Elmo and Oscar the Grouch, Billy Porter, Bowen Yang and more. And yes, Kellyoke will be coming back too, with Clarkson set to perform Patti LaBelle’s “New Attitude,” Joan Jett & The Blackhearts’ “Crimson and Clover,” Bowling for Soup’s “1985” and her own hit, “Stronger.”

Watch the teaser for Clarkson’s season five kickoff music video above.