Kelly Clarkson Covers 'Over the Rainbow,' a Song That Has Special Meaning to Her Family

As Clarkson sang the beloved Judy Garland classic, a row of purple lights remained dim behind her, and the audience listened silently

Kelly Clarkson is ending the week with a classic.

Backed by her guitarist Jaco Caraco, the talk show host, 41, performed a rendition of Judy Garland's "Over the Rainbow" on Friday's edition of The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Wearing a long-sleeved black dress and silver earrings, Clarkson took her time to recite each song lyric first heard in the 1939 classic film The Wizard of Oz. As Clarkson sang, a row of purple lights remained dim behind her, and the audience listened silently.

THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW
Kelly Clarkson on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show'.

Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty

As the song ended, the lights flashed rainbow colors, and the crowd let out a loud cheer soon after.

The Grammy winner performed the song as part of her popular Kellyoke segment, in which she covers songs across all genres.

Past songs performed during the segment include Justin Bieber's "Sorry," ABBA's "Dancing Queen," and Aerosmith's "Dream On."

When it comes to "Over the Rainbow," however, it is a song that holds special meaning for Clarkson.

THE WIZARD OF OZ
Judy Garland in 'The Wizard of Oz'.

Everett

During a 2017 appearance on the Today show, she shared that she often sings to her kids, River Rose, 9, and Remington "Remy" Alexander, 7, whom she shares with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock.

During a November 2023 conversation with PEOPLE, Clarkson shared that her kids have gotten used to having a famous mother.

"It's so normalized for them. So, they don't even see it as anything weird," she said. "They're like, 'Can I bring my friend?' And I'm like, 'OK, well, maybe we'll just bring you right now.' " The mom of two, however, ensures that she teaches them "the gratitude and appreciation factor."

Kelly Clarkson and children River Rose Blackstock and Remington Alexander Blackstock
Kelly Clarkson with her kids on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on September 19, 2022.

Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

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"They don't know the fame thing yet. They just think everybody can do that, right? Which is kind of cool, but at the same time you want to teach them the gratitude and appreciation factor. Privilege is definitely taught in my household," said Clarkson. "They're annoyed with it, probably."

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