BB.Kelly Clarkson Reveals Why She Sang Only 3 of Her Own Songs During Recent Secret Performance
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Kelly Clarkson, known for her powerhouse hits like “Since U Been Gone” and “Stronger,” surprised fans during a recent intimate show in Los Angeles by performing mostly covers and only three of her own songs. Now, she’s opened up about the heartfelt reasons behind this unexpected choice, offering a glimpse into her current relationship with music and life.
“I just wanted to sing what felt good in the moment,” Clarkson shared in a backstage interview. “Lately, I’ve been reconnecting with music differently — not as my story, but just as music. Sometimes stepping away from your own catalog reminds you why you fell in love with singing.”
The secret event, attended by friends, industry insiders, and longtime fans, featured stunning renditions of songs by Adele, Bonnie Raitt, Aretha Franklin, and Harry Styles, alongside intimate performances of her own tracks “Piece by Piece,” “Stronger,” and “Breakaway.”
Clarkson revealed that the choice to focus on covers helped ease the pressure she’s faced in recent years, juggling a high-profile divorce, motherhood, and her talk show.
“For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t performing to prove anything,” she said. “I wasn’t thinking about charts or cameras or critics. I was just… singing. Covering other artists’ songs gave me the freedom to do that without reopening old wounds.”
She explained that her own songs often carry deep personal weight. “They come from heartbreak, growth, mistakes — and sometimes it’s too much to keep reopening those wounds. When I sing someone else’s words, it’s like I can breathe again.”
Clarkson’s love for interpreting others’ music has grown over time. “I love getting inside someone else’s song,” she said. “It’s like acting — telling a story that’s not mine. It reminds me why I do this: to connect and feel something real.”
Despite this focus on covers, Clarkson assured fans she’s far from stepping away from her own music. “Oh, I’ve still got more songs coming,” she teased. “But right now, joy matters more than ownership. Whether it’s mine or someone else’s, I want it to mean something.”
Among the covers, Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” held special significance. “That song always gets me,” Clarkson said. “It’s heartbreak, but also healing. That’s what I want my performances to be now — moments of healing for me and anyone listening.”
Reflecting on the night, Clarkson concluded, “I’ve been through a lot. But singing — whether it’s mine or someone else’s — is how I find my way back to myself. That night wasn’t about ‘Kelly Clarkson the artist.’ It was about Kelly, the girl who still loves to sing her heart out.”
