Jennifer Hudson on the End of ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’: ‘I Wish Her the Absolute Best’

Following Kelly Clarkson's revelation that her popular daytime program will end after its upcoming season, fellow singer and talk show host Jennifer Hudson has publicly voiced her support. Speaking at the Friday premiere of her new animated movie "Goat," Hudson offered high praise. "Kelly is amazing, and I wish her nothing but the best," Hudson remarked. "She's done an incredible job—truly a GOAT in this business." Clarkson, whose show debuted in 2019, announced on February 2 that its seventh season would be its last.

Clarkson cited a desire for more family time as the primary reason for concluding the series. "My children need me more, and moving on from the daily grind of a talk show is the right step for us now," her statement explained. Taping for the final season will proceed as scheduled, with episodes broadcasting into the autumn. The season will also include appearances by special guest hosts, to be named at a later date. This exit creates a notable vacancy in the syndicated TV market, which could benefit competing programs. Media historian Dr. Elena Torres notes, "Daytime TV has always been cyclical. When a giant like Oprah steps away, it creates space for new voices, and Clarkson's departure is a similar inflection point for the current era."

The award-winning "The Kelly Clarkson Show," produced by Universal Television and syndicated nationwide by NBCUniversal, has been a dominant force. Its winning formula—combining celebrity chats, heartwarming stories, and Clarkson's signature "Kellyoke" song covers—has earned it a remarkable 24 Daytime Emmy Awards. Among these are four back-to-back wins for both outstanding talk series and outstanding host, a testament to its quality under executive producer Alex Duda. Universal Television, a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is known for a slate of successful talk and reality programming.

Clarkson's announcement arrives amid significant churn in the daytime landscape. Merely a day later, the syndicated talk show "Sherri," hosted by Sherri Shepherd, was cancelled after a four-season run. Hudson's own foray into the genre, "The Jennifer Hudson Show," launched in 2022 and has already received 12 Daytime Emmy nominations, establishing it as a formidable new player. This period of transition suggests viewers can expect continued evolution in the types of stories and hosts that define daytime television.

At the film event, Hudson also discussed her role in "Goat," which aligns with her personal interests. The film follows Will, a determined goat voiced by Caleb McLaughlin, who aspires to play the animal sport of roarball. Hudson voices his mother in a cast featuring Gabrielle Union, producer and basketball star Stephen Curry, Nicola Coughlan, and Nick Kroll. "As a basketball mom myself, this story really resonates," Hudson shared, linking the film's themes to her life. "It's about chasing dreams, and I see that in athletes like Steph Curry, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James—they're all GOATs." "Goat" is scheduled for theatrical release on February 13.