Kelly Clarkson fans are growing concerned after the singer took an extended and unannounced break from her self-titled talk show.

Kelly Clarkson absent from talk show for several days - ABC News

Kelly Clarkson has been noticeably absent from her talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, for nearly a week. The host and American Idol champ unexpectedly skipped a taping for the show on March 3. Actor Simu Liu (Barbie, Jackpot!), who was slated as a guest, stepped in for Clarkson at the last minute.

He told the audience, “Kelly isn’t able to make it today. We’re sending her our very best. I did not know that I was doing this until about five minutes ago when I arrived to promote my new movie Last Breath.”

Clarkson returned the following day without an explanation for her absence but stepped away again two days later.

Who has been filling in for Kelly Clarkson?

Kelly hasn’t hosted her show since March 5. Several of her scheduled guests have pivoted to hosting duties, including comedian Roy Wood Jr., Brooke Shields, actress Wanda Sykes, singer Josh Groban, and Today‘s Willie Geist.

Actress Molly Sims is scheduled to host The Kelly Clarkson Show for the remainder of the week.

 

What do we know about her hiatus?

Clarkson hasn’t publicly addressed her absence, leaving fans to speculate about her reasons for stepping away. Entertainment Tonight reported Wednesday (March 12) that a source close to Clarkson said that her absence was due to a sudden family emergency.

The source also shared that talk show guests weren’t told that Kelly wouldn’t be there until they arrived for taping. It was then that they were given the opportunity to guest host. Neither Clarkson nor her team have confirmed the source’s statement.

TMZ reported Wednesday that her absence “is no cause for alarm.” The outlet stated that a source with direct knowledge reports that Kelly is fine but stepped away to deal with a “personal matter that does not directly involve her.”

Meanwhile, viewers have voiced concern over Kelly’s absence. “We love Kelly and respect her privacy, but y’all definitely need to put out some sort of statement because this is worrisome,” one fan wrote. Another added, “We don’t need to know her business but need to know she is ok please. 😢”