Kelly Clarkson says she’s felt ‘lost’ as she returns to talk show for 1,000th episode after mystery absence

nypost.com:

her daytime talk show on Thursday following a string of mysterious absences that worried fans.“Welcome to the Kelly Clarkson Show and our 1,000th episode,” the “Stronger” singer, 42, proclaimed in a promo clip for Thursday’s episode.Reflecting on the program’s history, she continued, “Our show premiered on September 9, 2019, with the help of some great friends.

Over the next five and a half years, we have made 999 episodes. I cannot believe today marks the 1,000th. It’s crazy.“We have met some hugely talented people, tons of big stars and inspiring everyday heroes,” the original “American Idol” winner recalled.“We created a community and supported each other through a lot of ups and downs.” She then quipped, “A lot of ups and downs personally as well,” in a seemingly unscripted aside about her personal life.

Clarkson also noted her show’s physical relocation from LA to New York and the experience of filming during the coronavirus pandemic.“For 1,000 episodes, we have laughed together, we have cried together with beautiful stories, sang together with some people, danced together, celebrated and competed together,” she shared.“I’ve lost, alone, a lot,” she said with a slight warble in her voice, seemingly alluding to her divorce from ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, though it could also refer to her 60-pound weight loss.

Clarkson filed for divorce from Blackstock, 48, in June 2020.“It’s OK,” she then joked with a shrug.“And along the way, we found comfort in one another,” Clarkson continued. “And looking back, we are all incredibly proud of what we’ve built and the community we’ve created.”She concluded, “I am grateful to everyone who has been a part of this journey.