Why Isn’t Kelly Clarkson on Her Show? What We Know About Her Ongoing Absence from The Kelly Clarkson Show (and Who Is Guest Hosting Instead)

Kelly Clarkson has been intermittently absent from The Kelly Clarkson Show for more than a week — and viewers are wondering why.

The "Since U Been Gone" singer first unexpectedly missed a March 3 taping. At the last minute, actor Simu Liu, who had previously led the daytime talk show for Clarkson in 2022, agreed to pivot from guest to host.

"Kelly isn't able to make it today. We're sending her our very best," he 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."

Simu added, "I'm here now, and look, I'm not one to back down from a challenge."

Clarkson didn't address the shakeup when she returned on March 4, but two days later, she was notably absent again, and several celebrities took over hosting duties for the remainder of the week.

The "Stronger" songstress returned for the March 18 taping. Adam Scott was slated to host that day, but with Clarkson back, he took a seat on the guest's couch to promote Severance season 2.

So what's going on with The Kelly Clarkson Show? Here's everything to know about Kelly Clarkson's extended absence as host.

When was the last time Kelly Clarkson appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show?

Clarkson last appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show on March 18. She hosted guests Adam Scott and musician Marc Rebillet. Much to the viewer's surprise, Clarkson did not address her many absences.

Prior to March 18, the singer hadn't taped the show since March 5 when she interviewed guests Jason Derulo, Nora Fatehi and Jason Isaacs.

Who is hosting The Kelly Clarkson Show?

In Clarkson's absence, several celebrity guest hosts have taken the lead on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Comedian Roy Wood Jr. stepped in for Clarkson on March 6 after guest hosting on Feb. 28, 2025.

"Kelly's out for the day," he said. "I'm back. You're in good hands. I was here about a week ago, I think they brought me back because of my resemblance to Kelly. You need to squint to see it, though."

Actress Wanda Sykes and singer Josh Groban co-hosted the March 7 episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show.

The Upshaws star mentioned Clarkson's absence briefly during her opening monologue, telling the audience, "It's good to be here at Kelly's show. She asked if I could co-host, and I said, 'Absolutely, Kelly. There's nothing I'd rather be doing on my birthday than daytime TV.' "

On March 10, Brooke Shields took over as host and Smokey Robinson performed "Be Thankful for What You Got" during Clarkson's Kellyoke segment.

Shields returned on March 11 and told viewers that it was "so nice" to be filling in "again" for the TV personality.

Today's Willie Geist stepped in on March 12, while actress Molly Sims sat in the host's chair on March 13 and 14.

On March 17, Kal Penn took the hosting reins on St. Patrick's Day, and two days later, Andy Cohen subbed in for Clarkson. His impromptu lip-synced rendition of the singer's hit song “Since U Been Gone" received mixed reviews from fans.

Tyler Perry and Ellen Pompeo are slated to fill in on March 20 and 21, respectively.

Who are the guests on The Kelly Clarkson Show this week?

While hosting on March 17, Penn welcomed Stanley Tucci and Iliza Shlesinger, among others, to The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Clarkson was back on March 18 to host Scott and Rebillet. Then on March 19, host Cohen was joined by guests Chrissy Teigen and Anthony Michael Hall.

Meanwhile, Perry will host actress Alicia Vikander as well as pop duo Mau y Ricky on March 20. The following day, Pompeo is expected to welcome magician David Blaine and actresses Crystle Stewart and Melissa Peterman to the talk show.

Where is Kelly Clarkson?

Clarkson hasn't publicly addressed her absence from The Kelly Clarkson Show. However, this isn't the first time the daytime host has taken an extended leave from work.

In 2022, she spent the entire summer in Montana with her kids.

"It was really important to me to shut down for a minute," Clarkson said on the Today show in August of that year. "[We] just spent the whole summer in the mountains. It was nice."

She added, "It felt like the first time my kids felt a little more centered as well."

Clarkson is also gearing up for her Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Her 18-show run kicks off on July 4, 2025, and is scheduled through Nov. 15, 2025.