Kelly Clarkson’s Emmy winning daytime talk show premiered season 5 last Monday (Oct 16) with a star-filled week of shows. After 4 season filming the show in Los Angeles, The American Idol OG winner moved The Kelly Clarkson Show, to studio 6a in New York City’s Rockefeller Center. All the city’s finest came out to help her celebrate.
Besides guest stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and SNL’s Bowen Yang, he singer also paired up with iconic musical artists for a series of new Kellyoke performances. Check out the highlights below.
Kicking things off on a positive note on Monday, Kelly strolled the streets of NYC, entering the studio while singing the upbeat “I Won’t Give Up” from her latest album, chemistry. She dedicated the premiere to the hardworking door men and women of New York City who filled the studio as her first NYC audience.
First guests of season 5 were NBC Today Show stars Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager, in addition to Late Night host Seth Meyers. What What Happens Live host Andy Cohen introduced her.
Kelly Clarkson and Billy Porter sing “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”
On Tuesday, the fabulous Billy Porter dropped by. He performs a powerful cover of Kelly’s 2011 hit “Strong (What Doesn’t Kill You)” on the concert stage. When Kelly saw his performance of the song on Youtube, she knew she had to sing it with him. She hilariously accuses Billy of stealing her song and making it BETTER. “That was rude Billy, that was rude!” Kelly jokes. Billy shared how he begged Kelly during his tour to have him on the show.
The two join forces for a powerful duet. Check it out below.
David Letterman band leader Paul Shaffer backs up Kelly on her “New Attitude” cover
Fun fact! Late Night with David Letterman, which aired on NBC from 1982 through 1993 taped their shows in Studio 6A. Letterman’s band leader, Paul Shaffer returned to the place where it all started to play backup for Kelly on her rendition of Patti Labelle’s “New Attitude.” Paul was expecting a full on rehearsal of the song, until he found out that Kelly mostly wings it!
Kelly and Alanis Morissette for a beautiful cover of “Ironic”
Kelly was thrilled to sing with one of her favorite artists, Alanis Morissette. She brought up how Alanis has been criticized for the lyrics of “Ironic” because nothing she mentions in the song fits the true definition of the word. Kelly assured Alanis that she couldn’t care less and loves the song regardless. The two joined their heavenly voices for a standout rendition of the 90s classic.
