Kelly Clarkson jokes about being fired by NBC after exiting talk show

Kelly Clarkson has made a joke about getting fired by NBC after announcing the end of her eponymous talk show, which aired on the network. 

The vocal powerhouse previously confirmed she would be stepping away from her hit talk show after seven years to spend more time with her children following the death of their late father, Clarkson’s ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, who died last year.

While performing at her Friday night show at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Clarkson, 44, quipped: ‘I would get fired by NBC, but I don’t work there anymore.’ 

Then, she told concertgoers that she is ‘sad’ her talk show ended because ‘it was a fun show,’ per Us Weekly. 

The Kelly Clarkson Show first premiered on September 9, 2019, and was a ratings winner, running for seven successful seasons. 

She officially wrapped production at the beginning of the summer, with the final episode slated to air in the fall. 

Kelly Clarkson joked about being fired by NBC after ending her eponymous talk show; pictured in February

Earlier this year, Clarkson announced the end of her talk show following months of speculation. 

At the time, she said it was not an ‘easy decision’ but said she was ‘stepping’ away in order to prioritize her daughter River, 12, and son Remy, 10, following their dad’s death. 

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Blackstock died last August at the age of 48 after a three-year battle with cancer. 

He is also survived by two adult children Savannah, 23, and Seth, 18, both of whom he shared with ex Melissa Ashworth. 

Clarkson was married to Blackstock for nearly seven years before separating in 2020 and finalizing their divorce in 2022. 

She took a hiatus following his death but later returned to the show. 

Just months later, she announced she would cease hosting duties at the end of the season.  

While performing at her Friday night show at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Clarkson, 44, quipped: ‘I would get fired by NBC, but I don’t work there anymore’

In her announcement, back in February, she said focusing on her kids following their father’s death felt ‘necessary and right for this next chapter of [their] lives.’ 

Also in February, Clarkson made an appearance on the Today show to discuss the end of her show and how she made the decision to step away. 

‘I think everybody probably gets the timing,’ she said at the time. 

‘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 with how it is precious too.’ 

‘I know everybody thinks, “Oh, she’s quitting,” but I still have other jobs. I’m still doing stuff,’ she continued. 

‘There’s just too much on the plate. I was like, “You know what, it’s time to kinda pull back.”

She also talked about no longer having to have more in-depth HR meetings after stepping away from her talk show host duties

Earlier this year in February, she said she was quitting her talk show. At the time, she said it was not an ‘easy decision’ but said she was ‘stepping’ away in order to prioritize her daughter River, 12, and son Remy, 10.

She shared her two kids with her late ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, died last August at the age of 48 after a three-year battle with cancer; pictured in January 2020

She is also getting back to her musical roots.  

Clarkson kicked off her residency on Friday and will continue performing at Caesars Palace’s The Colosseum through mid-August. 

The American Idol winner is also set to return as a coach on The Voice for the compeтιтion series’ season 30 beginning in the fall. 

‘This isn’t goodbye,’ she ᴀssured her fans in her statement shared via Instagram. 

‘I’ll still be making music, playing shows here and there and you may catch me on The Voice from time to time… you never know where I might show up next.’