Kelly Clarkson, the powerhouse vocalist and American Idol winner, recently shared some surprising behind-the-scenes details about her unforgettable performance at the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards.
During the ceremony, Kelly delivered a breathtaking rendition of the legendary song I Will Always Love You as a tribute to country icon Dolly Parton. While fans were mesmerized by her flawless vocals, Kelly later revealed in an interview with Andy Cohen on SiriusXM Town Hall that the performance was far more challenging than anyone knew.
Initially, when she was invited to pay tribute to Dolly, she had no idea which song she’d be performing. When she found out it would be I Will Always Love You, she admitted feeling intimidated, calling it “a song no artist wants to attempt because you just shouldn’t.” Given the incredibly high bar set by both Dolly Parton and the late Whitney Houston, it’s easy to understand her hesitation.
But what made the moment even more difficult was something deeply personal. Just before stepping on stage, Kelly received a text confirming that her divorce had been finalized. “I had literally just gotten the message saying, ‘Hey, your divorce is final. You both signed.’ And then I had to walk out and sing I Will Always Love You. I was like, ‘Really, Universe? That’s the timing?’” she confessed.
Andy Cohen playfully suggested that a song like Since You’ve Been Gone might have been more fitting for the moment, but despite the emotional weight of the news, Kelly powered through and delivered an incredible performance.
One thing that lifted her spirits after the show was a heartfelt message from fellow artist Chris Stapleton. “He texted me right after and said I killed it,” Kelly shared. “It just made me feel really special—especially coming from someone I admire so much. I don’t even think he knows how much that meant to me.”
While the night was filled with challenges, Kelly’s resilience and undeniable talent turned the moment into something truly unforgettable.