Kelly Clarkson’s ‘I Will Always Love You’ Brings Dolly Parton To Tears
Kelly Clarkson performed a tribute on the ACMs to ACM host Dolly Parton by singing her signature song, “I Will Always Love You,” and the performance brought the crowd to…
Kelly Clarkson performed a tribute on the ACMs to ACM host Dolly Parton by singing her signature song, "I Will Always Love You," and the performance brought the crowd to their feet and brought Dolly to tears.
After the powerful performance, Dolly joined Kelly on stage, saying, "Oh my God, that was so great," and Kelly shouted, "Dolly Parton!" Parton repeated, "That's so great, Kelly. I know that Whitney is smiling down on us tonight, so thank you very much; she'd be proud of that."
Dolly added, "I was backstage trying not to cry my false eyelashes off and slinging snot in every direction and tears. But anyway, that was an amazing job, and I have just had a wonderful time being here tonight; I just want you to know that. That just topped it off for me."
Hard to believe that it has been 18 years (as of 9/4/2020) since Kelly Clarkson won the very first season of American Idol. Yes, the very first season (we see you Brian Dunkleman). I remember watching it come down to Justin Guarini (who now has since found fame as Dr. Pepper's Lil'Sweet) and Kelly Clarkson. Sitting on the floor of my freshman college dorm, only being in school for a couple weeks, all my new friends gathered around the TV to see who would win. We also had no idea, and neither did anyone else, if winning this reality show/talent competition would lead to prolonged superstardom. For Kelly Clarkson it has. She has gone from American Idol to a multi-platinum selling artist, movies, a judge on The Voice and recently an Emmy winning talk show host for The Kelly Clarkson Show." Way to go Kelly - you will always be my American Idol.
American Idol- American Idol
Kelly Clarkson at FOX TV's "American Idol", broadcast live from Television City in Los Angeles, Ca. Tuesday, July 16, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect/FOX*** Please Call For Usage ***
Swimfan World Premiere
WESTWOOD, CA - AUGUST 19: "American Idol" finalist Kelly Clarkson attends the premiere of "Swimfan" at UCLA's Sunset Canyon Recreation Center on August 19, 2002 in Westwood, California. The film opens in theaters nationwide Friday September 6, 2002. (Photo by Robert Mora/Getty Images)
American Idol
Kelly Clarkson faces the judges at FOX-TV's "American Idol" in Los Angeles, Ca. Tuesday, August 27, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect/FOX.*** Please Call For Usage ***
American Idol
Kelly Clarkson performs at FOX-TV's "American Idol" in Los Angeles, Ca. Wednesday, August 28, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect/FOX.*** Please Call For Usage ***
American Idol Finale
Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini at FOX-TV's "American Idol" finale at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Ca. Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect
American Idol Finale
American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson embraces Idol contestants at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Ca., Sept. 4, 2002. (photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect)
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno - Kelly Clarkson
American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson at "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios in Burbank, Ca. Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect.
American Idol Grand Finale Broadcast
BURBANK, CA - MAY 20: American Idol finalists Clay Aiken (L) and Ruben Studdard (R) present Kelly Clarkson (last year's winner) with a platinum record plaque for her first album during the show's grand finale on May 21, 2003 at the Universal Amphitheatre in Burbank, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
42nd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - Show
LAS VEGAS - MAY 15: Singers Reba McEntire (L) and Kelly Clarkson performs onstage during the 42nd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
CMA Music Festival - Day 1
NASHVILLE - JUNE 7: Reba McEntire (L) performs with former American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson at the 2007 CMA Music Festival (formerly known as FanFair) on June 7, 2007 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rusty Russell/Getty Images)
2011 American Music Awards - Show
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Singer Kelly Clarkson performs onstage at the 2011 American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on November 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
2013 CMA Music Festival - Day 3
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 08: Kelly Clarkson and Jason Aldean perform during the 2013 CMA Music Festival on June 8, 2013 at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Kelly Clarkson Celebrates Halloween Time With Cruella de Vil At Disneyland
ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: In this handout photo provided by Disney Parks, Kelly Clarkson celebrates Halloween Time with Cruella de Vil on September 21, 2016 at Disneyland park in Anaheim, California. The Halloween Time celebration at the Disneyland Resort, which also features special attractions and entertainment, continues through October 31, 2013. (Photo by Scott Brinegar/Disneyland Resort via Getty Images)
2014 American Country Countdown Awards - Show
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 15: Recording artist Miranda Lambert (L), and recording artist Kelly Clarkson perform onstage during the 2014 American Country Countdown Awards at Music City Center on December 15, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Kelly Clarkson & Kids Meet Pixar Pals At First-Ever "Pixar Fest" At Disneyland
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 12: In this handout photo provided by Disneyland Resort, singer Kelly Clarkson and her children, Remington Alexander and River Rose, visit with Pixar pals Woody and Jessie at the launch of Pixar Fest at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., on Thursday. The first-ever Pixar Fest, the biggest Pixar celebration ever to come to Disney Parks, continues through Sept. 3, 2018. (Photo by Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort via Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CMT)NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 06: Kelly Clarkson attends the 2018 CMT Music Awards at Bridgestone Arena on June 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CMT)
54th Academy Of Country Music Awards - Show
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 07: Kelly Clarkson (C) performs with Dan Smyers (L) and Shay Mooney (R) of Dan + Shay onstage during the 54th Academy Of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 07, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
STX Films World Premiere Of "UglyDolls" - Arrivals
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 27: (2nd from L-R) Nick Jonas, Blake Shelton, Emma Roberts, Pitbull, Janelle Monáe, Kelly Clarkson, and Kelly Asbury attend STX Films World Premiere of "UglyDolls" at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on April 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
