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

Kelly Clarkson hinted at the personal struggles she’s faced in recent years as she celebrated the 1,000th episode of 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. It has been such a cool time. Thank you so much.”

Thursday’s pretaped episode included appearances from Tyler Perry and Alicia Vikander, along with a musical performance with Venezuelan duo Mau y Ricky.

Clarkson has been absent from several episodes of her show as of late, tapping celebrity friends such as Kal Penn, Roy Wood Jr., Wanda Sykes, Brooke Shields, Willie Geist and Molly Sims to sub in for her.

While the Grammy winner has called on celebrities to take over hosting duties in the past, it was her seemingly unplanned absence on the March 3 episode of her show that spurred concern from fans.

“Kelly isn’t able to make it today. We’re sending her our very best,” guest host Simu Liu told the audience.

“I did not know that I was doing this until about five minutes ago when I arrived to promote my new movie, ‘Last Breath,’” the “Barbie” actor continued. “I’m here now, and look, I’m not one to back down from a challenge.”

Clarkson has been absent from several episodes of her show as of late, tapping celebrity friends such as Kal Penn, Roy Wood Jr., Wanda Sykes, Brooke Shields, Willie Geist and Molly Sims to sub in for her.

While the Grammy winner has called on celebrities to take over hosting duties in the past, it was her seemingly unplanned absence on the March 3 episode of her show that spurred concern from fans.

“Kelly isn’t able to make it today. We’re sending her our very best,” guest host Simu Liu told the audience.

“I did not know that I was doing this until about five minutes ago when I arrived to promote my new movie, ‘Last Breath,’” the “Barbie” actor continued. “I’m here now, and look, I’m not one to back down from a challenge.”

“Every season there’s been a period where we had to go to guest hosts for one reason or another,” she told Deadline in an interview published Thursday. “But for some reason this year they wrote about it.”

Tracie Wilson, executive Vice President of NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and E! News, added, “I love that they missed their Kelly, but we’ve done this before. I can’t even tell you how many texts I got from family and friends too. Yes, we’ve had guest hosts a lot over the years, so it’s just something about this year. But you’re right, people love their Kelly and they want her on the air, so we appreciate that.”