Kelly Clarkson Leaves Not One Eye Dry In Return Performance On “Idol”
When the show “American Idol” debuted on FOX in 2002, no one really knew what to expect.
Despite a working formula in the UK, “Idol” was the first of its kind in the US. Will it work? What
type of talent will compete? How will America vote? All those questions were answered when a
Texas native by the name of Kelly Clarkson won the coveted first title of “American Idol” and set
the precedent of what was expected from the show.
And like other Idol Alumni who returned to pay tribute to the show that started their careers
during its final season, a very pregnant and emotional Clarkson stepped out to perform on that
stage one last time on Thursday. But no one – not the judges, not the contestants, not the fans
watching at home - was prepared for what she was about to do.
Wearing a black gown, Clarkson began singing “Piece By Piece,” the title track from her most
recent album, and a song she wrote when she was pregnant with her first child, daughter River.
“And all I remember is your back walking towards the airport leaving us all in your past,” she
began.
Through her heart-wrenching lyrics, Clarkson not only told the world the story of her childhood
where she was abandoned by her father, but shed light on to just how strong of a woman she is.
She sings about her beloved husband, Brandon Blackstock and how, piece by piece, he has
restored her faith in fatherhood, knowing that he will never leave her or River:
“He never walks away / He never asks for money / He takes care of me / He loves me / Piece
by piece / He restored my faith / That a man can be kind / And a father could stay / Piece by
Piece”
Clarkson had a difficult time getting through the song towards the end, fighting off tears, but she
wasn’t the only one. Judge and Country Music superstar Keith Urban, who just recently lost his
father, was shown numerous times throughout the performance visibly upset, his lip quivering
as tears ran down his cheek. Emotion was also seen in the faces of fellow Idol judges Jennifer
Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and host Ryan Seacrest, as well as several of the contestants
watching the performance from the side. Since the broadcast, many fans and viewers have
commented across various platforms their own tearful emotions while watching Clarkson, who
allowed herself to be so vulnerable and real before millions of people.
