Kelly Clarkson reflected on the “ups and downs” she has faced over the past six years on her eponymous talk show after taking an unexplained weeks-long hiatus.
The “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” singer gave an emotional speech in Thursday’s episode while celebrating 1,000 shows since the launch of “The Kelly Clarkson Show” in September 2019.
“We have laughed together, we have cried together with beautiful stories, sang together with some people, danced together, celebrated and competed together. I’ve lost, alone, a lot,” she quipped.
It is unclear what Clarkson was referring to, but after her studio audience hesitantly laughed at the comment, she paused to assure them, “It’s OK!”
The host, 42, also thanked her crew and community for both lending and finding “comfort in one another.”
“We created a community and supported each other through a lot of ups and downs — a lot of ups and downs personally as well,” she admitted.
Clarkson looked back on all of the show’s milestones and wrapped up the sweet moment by saying, “We started with the intention of making connections and bringing people together, and it feels like we’ve been doing just that.”
The “American Idol” winner did not specify what she “lost” or the “ups and downs” she has gone through, but she notably went through a tumultuous public divorce from Brandon Blackstock during her show’s run.
Clarkson and her former manager were married for nearly seven years before she filed for divorce in June 2020.
The exes — who share daughter River Rose, 10, and son Remington “Remy” Alexander, 8 — subsequently went through a messy court battle before reaching a divorce settlement in March 2022.
The Grammy winner also shared Thursday’s sentimental message after returning to her talk show from a weeks-long hiatus.
Clarkson raised eyebrows when she had celebrities host in her place starting Feb. 28.
The “Since U Been Gone” singer finally returned to TV for Tuesday and Thursday’s episodes, but she did not address her absence.
A source previously told TMZ that Clarkson had been out to deal with a “personal matter” that did “not directly involve her.”
The insider clarified that it was “not a cause for alarm” and that the host was “completely fine.”
