One piano, one acoustic guitar and one Kelly Clarkson were all that was needed for the daytime talk show host and Grammy-winning recording artist to blow her studio audience away — and risk breaking the internet — with a cover of the Whitney Houston classic “I Have Nothing.”
Clarkson broke out the 1993 power ballad for a pared-down performance on Thursday’s 1,000th episode of “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” and even though it only landed online that afternoon, her fandom was quickly alight with excitement, tears and praise for the musical moment.
“Kelly proving once again that she is the best vocalist since Whitney,” one YouTube commenter wrote.
“I had the highest of expectations, and she somehow managed to surpass them. Legend,” wrote another.
“Brought me to tears,” said a third.
And over on X, Clarkson fans were sharing the “Kelly Clarkson Show” performance in a frenzy.
“Very few people can do Whitney Houston justice. Kelly Clarkson is one of those few,” one fan reflected, while another simply said, “I’M DECEASED.”
Even the official X account for “The Kelly Clarkson Show” knew they had something special on their hands, calling their embedded video clip a “special treat” for fans.
Y'ALLLLL….@kellyclarkson ATE DOWN with her rendition of "I Have Nothing" by the incomperable Whitney Houston…y'all better quit playing with Mama fr !
— Isaiah Harrell (@isaiahharrell23) March 20, 2025pic.twitter.com/ZfaGwlyeG9
In the official release for the Emmy-winning daytime talk show’s 1,000th episode, NBCUniversal called the feat an “exciting milestone.” The hour-long episode featured a highlights retrospective on some of the series’ most significant moments and guests, from celebrities to “everyday heroes.” Guests on the big Thursday episode were Tyler Perry, Alicia Vikander and Mau y Ricky.
Watch Clarkon’s cover of “I Have Nothing” in the video below:
