Kelly Clarkson prioritizes her children over role as talk show queen

Texan native Kelly Clarkson, 43, had already carved a niche in the music industry when she decided to turn her career around in 2019. On September 9 of that year, she appeared for the first time on television at the helm of The Kelly Clarkson Show. It was designed to replace The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which aired for almost 20 years in a primetime slot and featured celebrity interviews and chats with the stars of viral videos, but which became mired in accusations of a toxic work environment.

Clarkson did not think her show would get more viewers than The Ellen DeGeneres Show, but in the first week 2.6 million tuned in; that subsequently shook down to a daily average of 1.2 million. In these seven years, it has established itself as a successful morning show and has won more than 20 Daytime Emmy Awards. But next fall The Kelly Clarkson Show will come off air because Kelly has decided she needs to spend more time with her children at a complicated time for them.

The Kelly Clarkson Show was colored by Kelly’s musical bent. She has enjoyed hits such as Since U Been Gone (2004) and Stronger (2012). The show also covers popular songs by other singers and pitches her in a singing standoff with Anne Hathaway, a clip that went viral and commanded 46 million views on her TikTok account.

There seemed there was no singer, actor, or celebrity who did not sit on Kelly’s couch. But now Clarkson has decided to ditch her role as talk-show queen and spend more time with River, 11, and Remington, 9 – both from her marriage to Brandon Blackstock, who was her manager, and who died last August at the age of 48.

Early February, Kelly announced that the current season of The Kelly Clarkson Show would be her last. “I have been extremely fortunate to work with such an outstanding group of people at TKCS, both in Los Angeles and in New York,” the singer posted on Instagram, where she has eight million followers. “There have been so many amazing moments and shows over these seven seasons. I am ever grateful and honored to have worked alongside the greatest band and crew you could hope for, all the talent and inspiring people who have shared their time and lives with us, all the fans who have supported our show, and to NBC for always being such a supportive and incredible partner… Because of all that, this was not an easy decision – but this season will be my last hosting TKCS.” Her post got 250,000 likes.

Kelly went on to explain the reasons behind her decision, although without explicitly mentioning the death of Brandon Blackstock: “Stepping away from the daily schedule will allow me to prioritize my kids, which feels necessary and right for this next chapter of our lives.” The singer’s priority has always been her children. Even when she was making her name as one of the queens of American TV, Clarkson chose not to attend the gala where she was awarded the first seven Daytime Emmys because she and the kids were going on vacation.

Although the singer will no longer host a show, music is still on her agenda. “This isn’t goodbye. I will still be making music, playing shows here and there, and you may catch me on The Voice from time to time... you never know where I might show up next.” And she ended this message by thanking her followers for allowing her “show to be a part of your lives,” for “believing in us and hanging with us for seven incredible years.”

“After years of an intense daily schedule, she’s excited to move at a different pace and have more flexibility to spend time with her kids without the structure of a daily show,” a source exclusively tells PEOPLE. “This change gives her the space to be more present at home while still doing the creative work she loves,” the source continues. “Kelly still wants to make music and perform, and she’s open to popping up on projects she enjoys, but nothing that requires an ongoing daily grind. For her, this next phase is about balance.”

Clarkson’s family continues to grieve the death of Brandon Blackstock, who fought cancer for more than three years. A day before the news of his death was made public, Clarkson postponed her shows in Las Vegas and shared the following message on Instagram: “Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas. While I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children’s father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them. I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”

Clarkson and Blackstock married in October 2013, after a year dating. The singer filed for divorce in 2020, but it didn’t become official until two years later. A lengthy legal battle ensued over spousal support, custody of their two children and Clarkson’s ranch in Montana. Kelly gained primary custody and Blackstock was ordered to leave the ranch by June 2022. In 2023, the singer moved from Los Angeles to New York to record her show at the legendary Rockefeller Center studio, where shows such as Saturday Night Live have been recorded since 1975.

The winner of the first season of American Idol in 2002, Kelly has won the hearts of many. Moreover, her powerful vocal range has been dubbed ‘The Kelly Clarkson Effect’ as she performs covers of other artists’ hits on her show. Artists like Sombr have joked that once Clarkson sings one of your songs, it automatically becomes hers. When the singer covered My Heart Will Go On in her Kellyoke series, a tearful Celine Dion told her, “You were absolutely incredible.”

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