Kelly Clarkson Says She's 'Lost a Lot' on 1,000th Talk Show Episode
Just days after her return from a mystery absence, Kelly Clarkson is reflecting on 1,000 episodes of her talk show — including the personal changes she’s gone through over the years while filming it.
“Welcome to The Kelly Clarkson Show and our 1,000th episode,” the “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” singer, 42, said at the start of the Thursday, March 20, episode. “I cannot believe today marks the 1,000th. It’s crazy.”
In her opening speech, Kelly looked back on some of the achievements The Kelly Clarkson Show has made since its debut in September 2019, including surviving the COVID-19 pandemic together and moving the show from Los Angeles to New York City.
“We have met some hugely talented people, tons of big stars and inspiring everyday heroes,” she said, later adding, “For 1,000 episodes, we have laughed together, we have cried together with beautiful stories, sang together with some people, danced together, celebrated and competed together.”
While noting that she and her fans have “created a community and supported each other through a lot of ups and downs,” Kelly joked that she’s gone through “a lot of ups and downs personally as well,” showcasing moments where she hosted the talk show with an eye patch and with a cast on her leg.
Later, the former Voice coach said that she has “lost, alone, a lot,” prompting the audience to give “awws” of sympathy. However, Kelly added, “It’s OK.”
Since Kelly began hosting her talk show, she has gone through a divorce from ex-husband Brandon Blackstock after nearly seven years of marriage and a move across the country. However, she’s also gone through a major weight loss journey, having shed more than 40 pounds in recent months.
“Along the way, we found comfort in one another. And looking back, we are all incredibly proud of what we’ve built and the community we’ve created,” she concluded. “I am grateful to everyone who has been a part of this journey. It has been such a cool time. Thank you so much.”
Kelly’s touching speech came days after she returned to her talk show following off and on absences for more than a week. She initially disappeared from the show on March 3, with Simu Liu stepping up from his guest role to become the temporary host that day.
“Kelly isn’t able to make it today. We’re sending her our very best,” the Barbie actor said at the time. “I did not know that I was doing this until about five minutes ago when I arrived to promote my new movie Last Breath. I’m here now, and look, I’m not one to back down from a challenge.”
Though Kelly returned on March 4, she was absent again two days later and did not come back again until March 18. In the meantime, celebrities like Roy Wood Jr., Wanda Sykes and Josh Groban took over as temporary hosts. Adam Scott was set to host on March 18, but he stepped back into a guest role when it was revealed that Kelly would be hosting that day, according to People.
Kelly has not publicly addressed the reason for her absences.