On the January 4 episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, Kelly Clarkson brought her signature soul and powerhouse vocals to a country classic, opening the show with a stunning rendition of Blake Shelton’s 2011 hit, “Honey Bee.” Backed by her band Y’all and bathed in warm, honey-colored stage lights, Clarkson embraced the playful twang of the track, delivering it with both sweetness and strength. Her version honored the original’s charm while adding her own soulful spin.
“You’ll be my soft and sweet / I’ll be your strong and steady / You’ll be my glass of wine / I’ll be your shot of whiskey,” she sang with heart, channeling the lighthearted romance that made the song a chart-topping favorite.
Originally released as the lead single from Shelton’s Red River Blue album, “Honey Bee” was a major success, peaking at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping both the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts.
Later in the episode, Clarkson welcomed Justin Guarini, her American Idol Season 1 co-finalist, for a fun and nostalgic sit-down. Guarini reflected on their whirlwind rise to fame and how the early days of Idol felt more like a fun experiment than a pressure-filled competition. “The stakes weren’t super high for us. We got to hang out so much,” he said.
The two also laughed about their marathon Speed card game sessions backstage. “I think I may have won twice in the hundreds of times that we played,” Guarini joked. Clarkson chimed in, “I feel like I have natural caffeine in me, so it was really my game.”
From heartfelt performances to hilarious throwbacks, Clarkson continues to blend musical talent with genuine charm on her daytime show—making moments like these feel both nostalgic and fresh.
