Kelly Clarkson Says Goodbye to Her Talk Show After Seven Seasons

After seven seasons, Kelly Clarkson has officially closed the chapter on her daytime talk show, ending The Kelly Clarkson Show with an emotional farewell centered on the people who mattered most to her: her children, her team and her viewers.

The singer and television host said goodbye during Monday’s finale, describing the occasion as “bittersweet” as she returned to the stage for one last extended edition of “Kelly By Request.”

The special episode gave Clarkson plenty of time to do what she has always done on the show: sing. She performed fan-requested covers as well as her latest single, “I’d Be Lyin’,” before turning the spotlight toward her two children, River and Remington Blackstock.

The finale aired on August 31, 2026, bringing the series to an end after its seven-season run.

Kelly Clarkson puts her children at the center of her farewell

Clarkson, 44, has long made clear that her children come first. During the final episode, she explained that River, 12, and Remington, 10, were a major reason she initially took on the talk show.

“My kiddos have always come first,” Clarkson said, explaining that the show offered the stability and schedule she wanted for her family.

But the same children also helped her recognize that it was time to move on.

“They’re also a big reason it’s time to say goodbye,” she said.

Clarkson reflected on how quickly her children had grown during the show’s seven-year run. When the program began, River was in kindergarten. By the finale, she was preparing to enter middle school.

“That’s crazy,” Clarkson said.

She also looked back on one of Remington’s most memorable appearances on the program. Her son made his singing debut on the show with Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” a performance that became one of his favorite memories from his time on the set.

Remington also remembered meeting actor Jason Momoa during the show.

The siblings joined their mother during the finale and shared what they enjoyed most about watching her work.

Remington told Clarkson, “I like watching you shine every single day.”

The simple compliment immediately brought her to tears.

“You got me. You just Oprah’d me on my own show,” Clarkson joked through the emotion.

The moment captured the personal side of a program that had followed Clarkson through years of her children’s lives. Her son’s first performance, conversations with celebrity guests and countless appearances by the family had all become part of the show’s history.

A final thank-you to the people behind the show

With River and Remington beside her, Clarkson took time to acknowledge everyone who had helped make the program possible.

She thanked the staff and crew, her band, the show’s viewers and the many guests who had appeared throughout its seven seasons.

For Clarkson, the closing message was also a return to the words she had used to end every episode since the show’s debut.

“For seven years, I’ve ended each episode by saying, ‘Have a great day. And if it’s not, change it.’”

She explained that the message had always reflected her belief that people cannot control everything that happens in their lives, but they can choose how they respond to difficult moments.

She also recalled advice she had received from a therapist: “You don’t have to attend the negative party you’ve been invited to.”

The idea seemed especially fitting as Clarkson closed a major chapter of her own life.

Clarkson leaves with gratitude

As the finale came to a close, Clarkson hugged River and Remington and reflected on the unusual experience of having her children grow up alongside the show.

She told viewers that she had loved being welcomed into their homes every day and had especially loved watching her own children grow up while she was making the program.

“I have immeasurable gratitude for everyone here,” she said. “Thank you so much. This has been an incredible opportunity.”

The Kelly Clarkson Show premiered in September 2019 and went on to become a major part of Clarkson’s career beyond music. The series ultimately ran for seven seasons and more than 1,200 episodes, earning 24 Daytime Emmy Awards during its run.

Why Kelly Clarkson decided to leave

Clarkson’s decision to end the show had been reported months before the finale.

Page Six reported in January that she planned to leave the NBC program, and Clarkson confirmed the decision the following month. In her February announcement, she said stepping away from the demanding daily schedule would allow her to prioritize her children during the next stage of their lives.

The decision came roughly six months after the death of her former husband, Brandon Blackstock, the father of River and Remington. Blackstock died from cancer at age 48.

Clarkson subsequently spoke about how her family’s circumstances had changed and why spending more time with her children had become increasingly important.

Earlier in the month, a source also said Clarkson had been focused on supporting River and Remington as they dealt with the loss of their father, making sure they felt loved and supported while allowing them room to grieve in their own way.

Her decision to leave daytime television therefore represents a significant change in her routine, but the finale made clear that family remains at the heart of it.

After seven years of music, interviews, laughter and personal moments, Clarkson chose to end the show with the same message that had accompanied viewers through its entire run: have a great day, and if it’s not, change it.