Kelly Clarkson’s Tearful Return to American Idol with “Piece By Piece”

Kelly Clarkson, the original American Idol winner from 2002, returned to the stage in the show’s final season on Fox in 2016 with a performance that left the audience in tears. Singing her autobiographical ballad “Piece By Piece,” Clarkson moved viewers—and judges—deeply.

The emotional track, inspired by the birth of her daughter River Rose, draws a heartbreaking contrast between her absent father and her then-husband Brandon Blackstock, whom she described as a loving, hands-on partner.

“From the moment I held her, I couldn’t imagine walking away,” Clarkson told Glamour. “Brandon is an amazing father. We’re true partners.”

Clarkson credited a conversation with her sister for helping her realize how lucky she was to break the cycle of abandonment.

Performing while pregnant with her son, Clarkson broke down mid-song, but it was Keith Urban who stole headlines with his tears. The country star, who lost his father in 2015, was visibly overcome with emotion.

Urban later tweeted his praise, calling Clarkson’s performance “unforgettable.”

https://youtu.be/qmMzv9Fen_s