Kelly Clarkson brought her long-running daytime series to a close on Monday, signing off from her self-titled talk show after seven years on the air.
The Grammy-winning singer had two special supporters in the studio for the farewell: her daughter, River Rose, 12, and son, Remington Alexander, 10, who watched from the audience.
Clarkson shared both children with her late ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, who died last August at 48 following a battle with cancer.
The finale also looked back at memorable moments featuring River and Remington, who made several appearances on the show after it debuted in 2019.
Clarkson filmed the final installment in June, and showrunner and executive producer Alex Duda later told People that saying goodbye to the program was an “emotional” experience.
Duda described Clarkson as a natural “connector” and said the team designed the last episode as a “Kelly by Request” celebration, giving devoted fans and viewers a meaningful role in the farewell.
Clarkson performs fans’ most-requested song
For the final taped episode, Clarkson closed out the show’s beloved “Kellyoke” tradition with her “most requested” song ever, performing “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters.
“We just tried to make it be a celebration, especially that last episode, tried to make that be for the fans and help them help us say goodbye,” Duda told People of the finale’s approach.
‘And for seven years, we listened to them like, “What songs did you want to hear and what moments did you want to see again?”
‘So it seemed like the right thing to do was to do a whole show that was by request,’ Duda added.
Clarkson called the final taping a ‘bittersweet’ moment as she ended her taping with her kids joining her onstage and embracing her in a hug.
‘It’s been seven years. We haven’t changed a bit, but when you look at River and Remy, you know time has gone by because they’re almost grown up and they did so great. They did so great,’ Duda said about Clarkson’s two kids making an appearance in the finale.
Clarkson steps away to prioritize her children
In the lead-up to her final day on the set of the show, Clarkson asked her children about their favorite moments from her show.
For her daughter River, she told her mother she enjoyed ‘watching you shine.’
Earlier this year, she made an announcement in February about stepping back from her talk show hosting duties in order to ‘prioritize’ her children.
In a statement shared via social media, Clarkson addressed her fans and discussed her departure from her long-running show.
She wrote in her post: ‘This was not an easy decision, but this season will be my last hosting The Kelly Clarkson Show.
‘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.’
Kelly reflects on seven ‘amazing’ seasons
She also said in her announcement: ‘I have been extremely fortunate to work with such an outstanding group of people at The Kelly Clarkson Show, both in Los Angeles and New York.
‘There have been so many amazing moments and shows over these seven seasons,’ she continued.
‘I am forever grateful and honored to have worked alongside the greatest band and crew you could hope for,’ she wrote.
She also credited ‘all the talent and inspiring people who have shared their time and lives with us’ and thanked ‘all the fans who have supported our show.’
At the end of her statement, she extended her gratitude ‘to NBC for always being such a supportive and incredible partner.’
The final episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, which has earned 24 Daytime Emmy Awards during its seven-season run, aired on NBC on Monday, August 31.
