Kelly Clarkson bid an emotional farewell to her talk show as she wrapped its final episode, with her children making a surprise appearance during the heartfelt send-off.
The Kelly Clarkson Show came to an end Monday after seven years, with Clarkson calling the farewell “bittersweet.”
During the finale, she took part in a lengthy “Kelly By Request” segment, performing covers and her new single before sitting down with her kids.
“My kiddos have always come first, they’re a big reason I did this show, just [for] the stability, the schedule,” Clarkson said of daughter River, 12, and son Remington, 10, who sat in the audience.
“They’re also a big reason it’s time to say goodbye,” she shared, before adding, “I’m such a proud mama. They’re the greatest kiddos in the world.”
Clarkson mentioned, “When we started, River was in kindergarten,” the Grammy winner noted. “She’s now about to be in middle school, which is crazy. My son, Remington, he had his singing debut on stage with [a] Frank Sinatra [song, ‘My Way’].”
When asked about their favorite show moments, Remington pointed to his performance and his conversation with Jason Momoa.
Remington told her mom, “I like watching you shine every single day.”
The comment made Clarkson emotional, and she gushed, “You got me. You just Oprah’d me on my own show.”
After hugging Remington and River onstage, Clarkson thanked her staff, crew, band, viewers and guests. Reflecting on her signature sign-off, she said life is beyond our control, but we can choose how to respond.
Clarkson concluded that she “loved being in [their] homes each day” and “loved seeing [her] kiddos grow up on this show.”
She said, “I have immeasurable gratitude for everyone here. Thank you so much. This has been an incredible opportunity.”
To note, the first episode of Clarkson’s eponymous series aired in September 2019.
