Kelly Clarkson Opens Up About Ending Her Talk Show

Kelly Clarkson is finally speaking out about the decision to end her popular daytime talk show, while also letting her fans know that she will still be around despite taking a step back.

During a February 20 appearance on the “Today” show, Clarkson spoke openly about her decision to walk away on her own terms in an effort to focus more on her family.

“I think everybody probably gets the timing,” Clarkson said. “Our family life, the dynamic changed a bit, and it has changed for a minute now, so I think … it’s one of those things when you kinda start seeing life as how it is precious, too.”

That dynamic shift is the death of Clarkson’s ex-husband and the father of her children, Brandon Blackstock, who died of cancer in August 2025.

“I know everybody thinks, ‘Oh, she’s quitting,’ but I still have other jobs,” she explained. “I’m still doing stuff. There’s just too much on the plate. So, I was like, you know what, it’s time to kinda pull back.”

“It’s amazing, that’s what was really hard [because] the crew’s been incredible. … That was a really hard thing for me, but an easy decision there as a momma,” Clarkson added.

Speculation circulated for weeks that “The Kelly Clarkson Show” would end its seven-season run, and the news was confirmed on February 2.

According to Deadline, Clarkson’s contract was up at the end of the show’s current season. However, her recent personal issues were the determining factor in her decision not to continue the show.

Clarkson issued a heartfelt goodbye via an official statement.

“There have been so many amazing moments and shows over these seven seasons. I am forever grateful and honored to have worked alongside the greatest band and crew you could hope for, all the talent and inspiring people who have shared their time and lives with us, all the fans who have supported our show, and to NBC,” her statement read in part.

“Because of all of that, this was not an easy decision, but this season will be my last hosting ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show.’ 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,” Clarkson continued.

The singer ended her message, adding, “I want to thank y’all so much for allowing our show to be a part of your lives, and for believing in us and hanging with us for seven incredible years.”

Just one day after Clarkson announced that she was stepping away from her show, news broke that Sherri Shepherd’s talk show was officially cancelled after four seasons.

Per Variety, “Sherri” was cancelled and will not continue following the conclusion of its current season, set to wrap up in the fall. Debmar-Mercury, which distributes the show through producer Lionsgate, issued a statement confirming the news.

“This decision is driven by the evolving daytime television landscape and does not reflect on the strength of the show, its production, which has found strong creative momentum this season, or the incredibly talented Sherri Shepherd,” Debmar-Mercury co-presidents Ira Bernstein and Mort Marcus via joint statement.

“We believe in this show and in Sherri and intend to explore alternatives for it on other platforms,” the statement continued.

“Sherri” premiered in fall 2022, initially taking over the time slot of the long-running “Wendy Williams Show,” which ended after 13 seasons due to the ongoing health and personal issues of the former talk show host.

On Thursday, February 19, it was announced that “The Jennifer Hudson Show” will continue with a fifth season set to premiere in the fall, according to Deadline.

“Jennifer Hudson is a powerful force on all platforms and works incredibly well with all of our stations. We are excited to have her back for year five,” EVP of Programming for Fox Television Stations, Frank Cicha, said in a statement.

“The Jennifer Hudson Show” is “the #1 daytime talk show on TikTok and Threads, and the second-most-followed daytime talk show across social media,” per the outlet. Additionally, the most popular element of the show, the addictive Spirit Tunnel, has surpassed 6 billion views across social media platforms.

Returning to the show for the first time in three years, following season 23 in 2023, Clarkson is back in the coach’s seat to mentor and judge the latest crop of talent.

“I’ve been gone for a while, so it worked, scheduling,” she said on the “Today” show. “I love games in general, and I love just being competitive in general, but I do love not knowing who’s behind you,” Clarkson shared.

“And then you have this idea in your head, and you turn around, and I am 90% of the time wrong, like every time. You keep thinking, we’ve done this so many times, there can’t possibly be someone just incredible, and wow,” she added.

Although it has formally come to an end, new episodes of “The Kelly Clarkson Show” will air through fall 2026, which should please fans of the show and brace them for the series finale.

Throughout its seven-season run, the show won two Daytime Emmy Awards among dozens of nominations, largely attributed to the popular Kellyoke segment.