The Kelly Clarkson Show, a weekday hit, only began airing in 2019. But in March this year, Kelly celebrated a mind-boggling, historic landmark: the 1000th episode of her chat show. Alongside her usual spread of celebrity guests, Kelly pulled one of her classic special features out of the bag – “Kellyoke” – where the American Idol winner reclaims her original spotlight, covering another star’s hit song.
1000-episode milestones only emerge once in a lifetime, if you’re lucky. And Kelly certainly amped up the stakes for this Kellyoke set, taking on Whitney Houston’s impossible hit, “I Have Nothing,” originally featured on the movie soundtrack to 1992’s “The Bodyguard.” Kelly’s cover might only last for two minutes, but it’s already racked up an incredible 619,000 views in just over a month!
This is one stunning rendition, from Kelly’s tender vocal control through her verses to her incredible, soul-flocked vibratos ready to send chills streaming down any Music Man listener’s spine. With only a grand piano and acoustic guitar to back her, Kelly and her bandmates strip Whitney’s song back to its core, letting the true power of its lyrics radiate atop a breathtakingly minimalist backdrop.
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Kelly, who celebrated her 43rd birthday in April, first hit the spotlight as the first winner of American Idol back in 2002. After three US #1 albums, three #1 singles, and countless AMAs, Emmys, Grammys, MTV VMA Awards, and more across her earlier career, non-fans might be led to assume Kelly has lately fallen from the limelight, prioritizing chat shows over music and the like.
However, this Whitney Houston cover shows where Kelly’s heart truly lies – her performance stronger than ever; voice soaring ever-bright and emotional with decades of professionalism as she conquers this immense hit. Every key change clears the path to new levels of sensational talent, paying absolute respect to Whitney’s original yet performing it just the way Whitney would have wanted – bold, cathartic, and heartfelt.
Other guest stars appearing on The Kelly Clarkson Show’s 1000th episode included Tyler Perry, Alicia Vikander, and the Venezuelan duo Mau y Ricky, who treated Kelly to some Venezuelan rum to celebrate her landmark episode. As a final surprise, producers created a montage of Kelly’s children River and Remy which almost moved the proud mum to tears. Check out the wholesome moment in the video above!
Kelly Clarkson continues to mesmerize audiences with her soulful performances, and her remarkable cover of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” is no exception. Reaching the 1000th episode milestone is a testament to her enduring appeal and the show’s success. For those eager to experience more of Kelly’s unique talent and explore further highlights from her show, make sure to check out the links below.