How Kelly Clarkson Signed Off Her Talk Show After 7 Years

Kelly Clarkson Tears Up Discussing End of Her Daytime Talk Show in Emotional InterviewWhat doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and Kelly Clarkson’s TV exit is hitting us right where it hurts. The Kelly Clarkson Show officially ended after a seven-year run on NBC and the singer proved that everyone’s life would suck without her on the air during the Aug. 31 finale. Clarkson's final episode was coined "Kelly Clarkson by Request" which allowed Clarkson's fans and audience members to request her own songs or covers for her very last Kellyokes. “From the very first episode, music has been a cornerstone of this show," Clarkson explained during the last episode. "We’ve done over 1,000 Kellyokes, talked with hundreds of guests about songs that inspire their work and about everyday people who have the power of music transform their lives and the lives of those in their communities." And Clarkson ensured that her series ended with music just the way it started—this time, with a cover of "Golden" by the KPop Demon Hunters cast, as well as performances of her own songs "Since U Been Gone," "Sober," "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" and more.Clarkson also proved music will always be what defined The Kelly Clarkson Show, as she dropped her new single "I'd Be Lying" along with the last episode. Naturally, Clarkson's kids River, 11, and Remington, 10—whom she shares with late ex Brandon Blackstock—were there in the audience to watch their mom's send-off, as she gave them a shoutout in the middle of the episode. And to sign off, Clarkson shared a sweet supercut of all of her kids' best moments on the series and let them share their favorite memories. "I liked talking to Jason Momoa," Remington said during the broadcast, "and singing 'My Way' with the band." And River added, "I like watching you shine every single day." Clarkson then welcomed her kids to the stage to sign off for the very last time. "I loved being in your homes each day," Clarkson mused to the camera, with her arms wrapped around her kids. "I love seeing my kiddos grow up on this show as well. I have immeasurable gratitude for everyone: the crew, the band, everybody here—thank you so much. This has been an incredible opportunity. Thank you for connecting with us."Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagicIn February, Clarkson announced she would not move forward with another season of her show, which premiered in 2019. Although she expressed excitement to turn her focus toward other creative endeavors, the 44-year-old previously acknowledged the ending is bittersweet. For example, when Rita Wilson praised the “Miss Independent” singer’s musical segments during a May 27 appearance on the show and emphasized it has made “the biggest change” in her life, it brought Clarkson to tears. “I’m not crying,” Clarkson muddled at the time. “That’s so nice.” However, the American Idol winner is also ready to move on, acknowledging that she needed to refocus on family following the death of her ex-husband Blackstock from cancer last year. “I think everybody gets the timing,” she shared during a February appearance on Today after confirming her seventh season would be her last. “Our family life, the dynamic changed a bit, and it has changed for a minute now. I think it’s one of those things like, you kind of start seeing life as how precious it is, too." As she put it, “There’s just too much on the plate, so I was like you know what? It’s time to pull back." Her daytime talk show is just one small chapter in Clarkson’s incredible career. For a look at Clarkson over the years, keep reading… Ethan Miller/Getty Images2002SGranitz/WireImage2002J. Vespa/WireImage2002SGranitz/WireImage2002Ray Mickshaw/WireImage2002Chris Polk/FilmMagic2003KMazur/WireImage2004Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage2004Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage2005Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagic2005Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR2006Chris Polk/FilmMagic2006SGranitz/WireImage for The Recording Academy2006Elsa/Getty Images2006Kevin Mazur/WireImage2007Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic2007Mark Venema/WireImage2008Steve Granitz/WireImage2009Ray Mickshaw/FOX via Getty Images2011Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic2012Neil Mockford/FilmMagic2012Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)2013Larry Busacca/WireImage2013Rob Carr/Getty Images2013Frederick M. Brown/NBC/NBCUniversal via Getty Images2015Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images2017David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images2018Steve Granitz/WireImage2018Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images2021Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal2022For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App