The pop star opened up about balancing her TV career, motherhood, and music during a rare concert appearance in Atlantic City.
A Candid Moment With Fans
Kelly Clarkson is never one to hold back — and during a recent concert in New Jersey, she opened up about a topic that’s been on many fans’ minds: why she hasn’t been touring.
The 43-year-old Grammy-winning singer performed at Atlantic City’s Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena on May 9, delivering a rare and energetic 90-minute show. But in between powerhouse vocals and beloved hits, Clarkson took a moment to get real with her audience about her current life situation.
“We haven’t done a show in a while, y’all, ’cause I have a talk show. It’s like a whole other job,” she told the crowd, according to Page Six. Clarkson, who hosts the Emmy-winning Kelly Clarkson Show, said the demanding filming schedule has made it nearly impossible to take her music on the road — at least for now.
Motherhood and Talk Show Life
It’s not just the daytime TV grind keeping Clarkson off tour buses. As a single mother of two, Clarkson admitted that life at home also keeps her grounded in one place.
Still, she made it clear how much she values the opportunity to perform. “We are bummed ’cause we love doing shows, and it’s hard to fit it in, so it’s cool when it does work out with the schedule,” she said, referring to her band. “And it’s cool to get to see your faces and feed off y’all. Thank you so much for having so much energy.”
The May 9 performance marked her first full concert in nearly six months, with a second show in Atlantic City scheduled the following night. Though short, these performances gave fans a long-awaited chance to hear Clarkson sing her classics live again.
A Hit-Filled Setlist
Clarkson made the most of her limited return to the stage, powering through a career-spanning setlist. She treated fans to timeless tracks like:
- “Since U Been Gone”
- “Because of You”
- “Breakaway”
- “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”
- “My Life Would Suck Without You”
- “Miss Independent”
With every song, the audience responded in full voice — reminding Clarkson (and the world) why she remains one of the most beloved pop vocalists of the 21st century.
What’s Next for Kelly?
Although Clarkson hasn’t done a full-fledged tour since 2019, she’s maintained a strong presence in Las Vegas. After successful residencies in 2023 and 2024, she’s set to return this summer for her newest run: Kelly Clarkson: Studio Sessions, which opens July 4 at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Dates continue through July, August, and November.
Meanwhile, her talk show shows no signs of slowing down. The Kelly Clarkson Show recently celebrated its 1,000th episode and was renewed for a seventh season in late 2024. The program has racked up 22 Daytime Emmy Awards, including eight individual wins for Clarkson. It now averages 1.2 million viewers a day and airs on more than 200 stations nationwide.
However, fans are watching closely, as Clarkson’s current contract is set to expire in 2026 — and some wonder whether she may shift focus back to her music when the time is right.
A Voice Fans Still Crave
Clarkson’s honesty at her Atlantic City show reminded fans why they connect so deeply with her. She’s not only a powerhouse vocalist — she’s also relatable, balancing parenting, career demands, and personal dreams like anyone else.
“I’m bummed too,” she said of not being able to tour regularly. But as long as she keeps showing up with the same voice and heart, even the rarest shows are worth the wait.
