Top 10 Moments That Made Us Love Kelly Clarkson

Joining her co-stars from “The Voice” on "That's My Jam," Kelly was challenged to a showdown against Ariana Grande. They went head-to-head singing a medley of songs by pop divas, a category you might say they know rather well. Yes, Ari brings it with "Oops!... I Did It Again" and every subsequent song, but there's no denying Clarkson's vocals are practically unrivaled. It takes a tremendous talent to take on the late great Whitney Houston, and even Grande's blown away. However, she recovers just in time to harmonize at the end, leaving us wondering when their duet's coming out. Grande was certainly tough competition, but Clarkson rightfully took the crown.

In her decades-long career, Clarkson’s sung this song many times ⁠— including once in a bathroom with Ellen DeGeneres. So, we imagine she knows it forwards, backward, and every other direction. Jimmy Fallon put this to the test when she’s tasked with singing it backward. Have you ever tried to recite something in reverse? It’s not all that easy. Yet, Clarkson’s quite good, even though she can’t stop giggling. In all fairness, “Gone Been U Since” is slightly different from the song she’s been belting all these years. If she’s ever looking for a bonus track for a future Greatest Hits album, we think she’s found it.

In 2019, the singer transitioned into a daytime talk show host. But that didn’t mean her singing days were behind her. Indeed, “Kellyoke” is one of her most popular segments. Generally, featuring at the top of an episode, Kelly covers a range of popular tunes, usually requested by an audience member. She’s tackled everyone from Lizzo and Bon Jovi to the Foo Fighters and Janet Jackson, and she always slays. We also love that she takes requests, as it must be such a treat to hear your favorite songs covered by such an icon. And we’re not complaining if we get to listen to her sing either.

There’s a lot to love about “The Voice,” but there’s no denying it simply wouldn’t be the same without Kelly’s infectious enthusiasm— or that fiery competitiveness we’ve come to love. Clarkson elevates the mood and entertainment factor by miles, whether she’s bantering with her fellow coaches or convincing a contestant to join her team. It’s so clear she loves her job and her passion for music spills over. Clarkson’s larger-than-life personality is an incomparable asset to the singing competition. If we were ever on “The Voice,” we think we’d have to pick Kelly as our coach since she’d probably make us work hard but laugh even harder.

Take Kelly’s sparkling personality, throw in a few drinks, and you’re in for an unforgettable experience. As Seth downs his beer, Clarkson realizes what she’s gotten herself into, but she’s totally game. They create cocktails inspired by the singer’s career, test their cognitive abilities, and head up to the roof to yell out some interesting choice phrases. The funniest part is when Seth pretty much just yells “Since U Been Gone” at a hysterical Clarkson. Later, the pair reunited on her show and discussed what they remember or, more accurately, don’t remember from that day. Next time Seth and Kelly go drinking, we totally want to tag along.

Kelly Clarkson’s one proud mama bear, and she wants the world to know it. She’s a mother of two, plus step-mom to two more, and she’s not afraid to get real about her experiences. Clarkson strikes us as the mom friend everyone turns to for advice or just to lend an ear. It’s always super adorable when her kids appear on the show, especially when they get involved, such as when they interviewed Aquaman. Her daughter, River Rose, even features in her “Broken & Beautiful” music video. Clarkson’s a huge kid person in general. But it’s especially heartwarming to see how she lights up around her family.

As we’ve already mentioned, Clarkson has a fierce competitive streak. It makes her an awesome coach on “The Voice” and provides plenty of hilarity on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” too. Often her cutthroat determination is often more entertaining than the game itself. You can trust Clarkson to get mega loud, even more excitable, and her trash talk isn’t half bad either. If this is what she’s like on TV, we would love to see what game night looks like at her house. There have been so many highlights over the years. However, her reaction to Anne Hathaway beating her at her own song has to be our favorite.

Kelly Clarkson’s a renowned champion of empowerment, confidence, and self-love. This is most evident in her wide-ranging discography with songs like “Since U Been Gone,” “Stronger,” “Miss Independent,” and “Invincible,” helping us feel like total badasses. Her 2015 “Piece by Piece” album showcases a more vulnerable side but still carries a powerful message of resilience, as does her 2019 hit, “Broken & Beautiful.” We love how her music celebrates inclusivity, self-acceptance, and living your best life. Clarkson’s an outstanding role model for us all. You just have to listen to one of her countless powerhouse anthems to feel like you’re on top of the world.

As well as being a talented performer and an all-around joyous being, Clarkson also has a huge heart. She often talks about how blessed she’s been and how she wants to share even a glimmer of her luck with others. She’s dedicated much of her career to giving back, even more so now that she has her own talk show. She’s spotlighted nurses, teachers, everyday do-gooders, and other deserving individuals, often surprising them with some well-deserved rewards. Watching her genuine appreciation for everyday and often underappreciated heroes is really special. We don’t know how she keeps it together during the more emotional moments; we certainly couldn’t.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“How Well Does Kelly Clarkson Know Her Lyrics?,” “Cosmopolitan”
Spoiler: Hilariously Not Well at All

The Meryl Streep Stan Club, “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (2019-)
Where Do We Sign Up?

“A Little Bit Alexis” Duet, “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (2019-)
Alexis & Kelly Spinoff, Anyone?

Carpool Karaoke, “The Late Late Show with James Corden” (2015-)
We Wish We Had a Back(seat) Row View

Singing Tinder Profiles, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (2003-)
We’d Always Swipe Right on Kelly’s Voice

In 2002, a 20-year-old cocktail waitress from Texas auditioned for the first season of “American Idol.” Audiences were captivated by her realness, bubbly personality, and happy-go-lucky attitude⁠— and that’s before she even started singing. But from the very first note, Kelly proved she was a force to be reckoned with. After winning us over week after week, we were ecstatic when she was crowned champion. Of course, she went on to have an incredible career with countless hits and so many well-deserved accolades. Needless to say, her fanbase has deservingly continued to grow. Even decades after her win, Clarkson’s still the humble, effervescent, ray-of-sunshine we all rooted for back then.