She reduced everyone – herself included – to tears with an emotional performance on Friday night’s American Idol.
And her fellow judge Jennifer Lopez has insisted Kelly Clarkson had every right to let her emotions flow.
The heavily pregnant singer broke down crying as she made a highly emotional return on Thursday to the show as a guest judge.
See American Idol news as Jennifer Lopez defends pregnant Kelly Clarkson’s performance
Been there: Jennifer Lopez has defended pregnant Kelly Clarkson’s tear-filled performance on American Idol
She visibly struggled through Piece By Piece, which she wrote about being being abandoned by her father as a child.
Speaking with E! afterwards, mother of two J-Lo praised the inaugural winner for her performance, insisting that she gets a free pass
‘When women are pregnant we have this kinda attitude like “don’t talk to me about anything,’ she explained. ‘”Can you grow a human being inside of you? No? Okay bye.
During the show Kelly, who is already mother to daughter River Rose and is expecting her first boy any week now – handed out her advice to the Top Ten contestants, before performing her track
First champion: Kelly made an emotional return on Thursday to American Idol as the final 10 singers were revealed
And as the crowd chanted her name the reception reduced Kelly – and Keith Urban – to tears.
‘I’m pregnant, it’s nostalgic, I can’t believe it’s the last season, I am really sorry I just bawled. I am actually quite proud I made it that far,’ she told Ryan Seacrest who revealed she had been struggling in rehearsals.
‘It’s such a touching song for me as I wrote it while pregnant for my little girl and now I am pregnant with my little boy, which I hope comes out very soon,’ said the fan favourite who maneuvered around her emotions to finish the song.
See American Idol news as Kelly Clarkson and Keith Urban cry during return performance
Getting emotional: Keith Urban cried during Kelly’s touching performance of Piece By Piece
Feeling it: Jennifer Lopez also was moved by the song about the unconditional love of Kelly’s husband for their daughter
Touching song: Kelly fought back tears and stopped to maintain her composure while singing
Standing ovations: Keith, Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Seacrest and Harry Connick Jr gave Kelly a standing ovation
Clarkson earlier danced her approval for Idol frontrunner La’Porsha Renae and was so impressed she tipped her to win the whole show.
Kelly was blown away by powerhouse singer La’Porsha’s version of Diamonds by Rihanna and did not try to hide her enthusiasm.
‘It is not my turn to speak but I don’t care,’ she said after the stunning performance.
Really emotional: Kelly fought back her own tears while performing and told host Ryan Seacrest that she was ‘pregnant’ and ‘nostalgic’
Killed it: La’Porsha Renae impressed Kelly with her rendition of Diamonds by Rihanna
Out of turn: Kelly jumped in out of turn to praise La’Porsha and predicted she would win the competition
‘If I were you, which God bless I wish I were, every time I opened my mouth to sing I would be like ”You are welcome”,’ Kelly said.
‘That is such a talent. You’re gonna win, if you don’t win I don’t understand. I love everyone here but you are so, so blessed,’ said Kelly before getting up for another dance.
‘I love her, I want to be La’Porsha,’ she added.
Dance moves: The season one champion danced during and after La’Porsha’s performance
Emotional night: Kelly took to Twitter after the show to give thanks
Commercial break: The singer also posted a snap of herself and the judges during a commercial break