Kelly Clarkson Breaks Down as Rita Wilson Delivers Emotional Tribute Before Talk Show Farewell: ‘I’m Fine’

Kelly Clarkson tried to hold herself together — but Rita Wilson’s heartfelt words appeared to hit her right in the heart.

On the Wednesday, May 27 episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, Clarkson, 44, became visibly emotional as Wilson, 69, paused before the end of the interview to thank her for the impact she has made on daytime television.

“I just wanna say one thing before we go,” Wilson began.

The Sleepless in Seattle actress then praised Clarkson for the years she has spent hosting the show, which is set to end with its seventh season this fall.

“I wanna thank you for the years that you’ve been doing your show,” Wilson said. “I wanna thank you for literally changing the game when it came to daytime television. The fact that you love music. That you have brought so much music to daytime. That you have shared with us your voice, your gifts, and everyone else’s and your incredible band. I really wanna thank you because it has made a big change in my life. So thank you, Kelly.”

As the audience applauded, Clarkson was clearly moved. Fighting back emotion, she quietly mouthed, “I’m fine.”

Moments later, she got up from her chair and walked over to hug Wilson.

“Oh my God!” Clarkson said, before joking, “I’m like, ‘Shut it off!’ It’s okay.”

The emotional exchange comes after Clarkson announced in February that The Kelly Clarkson Show would come to an end after its upcoming fall season.

The singer said she made the difficult decision so she could “prioritize” her children.

Clarkson shares daughter River Rose, born in 2014, and son Remington Alexander, born in 2016, with her late ex-husband Brandon Blackstock. Blackstock died of cancer in August 2025 at the age of 48.

At the time of her announcement, Clarkson shared a statement on Instagram reflecting on the journey of the show and the people who helped make it possible.

“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,” she wrote.

She went on to thank the band, crew, guests, fans and NBC for seven seasons of memories before confirming the news.

“This was not an easy decision, but this season will be my last hosting The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Clarkson continued. “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.”

Later, during an appearance on Today, Clarkson opened up further about why the timing felt important.

“Well, I think everybody probably gets the timing,” she said. “Our family life, the dynamic changed a bit and it has changed for a minute now.”

Clarkson explained that although she is still working on other projects, her daytime show had become too much alongside everything happening in her personal life.

“There’s just too much on the plate,” she said. “So I’m like, ‘You know what, it’s time to kind of pull back.’”

A specific final episode date for The Kelly Clarkson Show has not yet been announced.

Source: Daily Mail