Kelly Clarkson’s recent absence from her daytime talk show has left fans puzzled and concerned. While guest hosts like Andy Cohen have temporarily taken over, viewers are eager for updates on Clarkson’s return. The show’s lineup for the week suggests she may be back soon, but no official explanation has been provided.
Andy Cohen Steps In—Again—as Guest Host
Clarkson fans are no strangers to surprises, but her latest absence from “The Kelly Clarkson Show” has once again stirred up speculation. For the April 21 episode, viewers tuning in were greeted by guest host Cohen instead of the show’s beloved namesake.
The show’s official Instagram announced the week’s lineup, featuring celebrity guests like Idina Menzel, Mae Martin, and JohnnySwim, with Cohen stepping in to save the day. Fans quickly flooded the comments, voicing both excitement for the guests and concern over Clarkson’s whereabouts.
“But is Kelly there? What’s going on? No make up, wearing jeans everyday, never there? What’s up?” one fan asked, echoing the sentiment of many others who were hoping for some clarity. Another chimed in with a firm stance, “I will not be watching Monday’s episode, I only watch when Miss Clarkson is hosting, so you lost a viewer for Monday’s show.”
This isn’t the first time Clarkson has taken a brief step back from her hosting duties. In March and early April, she missed nearly ten episodes, a string of absences that went unexplained at the time. Although she returned to her iconic purple couch soon after, fans were left wondering what prompted the break.
Family Comes First
While there has been no official statement from Clarkson herself, a new report from NewsNation may shed light on the recent mystery. According to an unnamed source, Clarkson took time off to be with her children as they visited her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, who is reportedly ill.
“Her ex-husband is sick and she took the kids to see him,” the source revealed. Clarkson and Blackstock officially finalized their divorce in 2022, and share two children: River Rose and Remington Alexander. Since the split, Clarkson has relocated from California to New York City, citing the move as a healthier choice for her and her kids. Though the former couple endured a highly publicized and lengthy divorce, the source did emphasize that they are both very present in their life.
As of now, Clarkson’s official show site indicates that she is scheduled to film new episodes throughout the week, suggesting that Monday’s guest-hosted show may be a one-off. Other guests this week include Kesha, Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Coco Jones, Sadie Sink, Rosie O’Donnell, and more.
While fans may be missing their daily dose of the “Since U Been Gone ” singer’s charm and powerhouse vocals, it’s clear she’s taking time to prioritize her family—a move that, while mysterious to some, ultimately speaks to her values. For now, we’ll stay tuned and keep a hopeful eye out for Clarkson from the couch.
