Kelly Clarkson Shares Relatable Reason Why She Was “Very Nervous” To Sing Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You”
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Kelly Clarkson famously covered Dolly Parton‘s “I Will Always Love You” at the ACM Awards in 2022. Her performance was widely praised, with many calling it one of the best versions of the song they’ve ever heard.
Afterward, Clarkson shared a video of her performance on YouTube. That video has earned over 9 million views in the past four years.
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Parton was one of the ceremony’s co-hosts, so she watched Clarkson’s stunning performance in person. She joined her onstage after the song ended, and remarked how she was trying not to cry off her false eyelashes.
Then, Parton paid Clarkson the ultimate compliment, telling her, “I know Whitney [Houston] is smiling down on us tonight. She would be so proud.”
Whitney Houston recorded “I Will Always Love You” for the movie The Bodyguard. Her version holds the world record for the best-selling physical single by a solo female artist.
Kelly Clarkson Reflects On Singing “I Will Always Love You” For Dolly Parton
In the wake of Dolly Parton’s death on August 25, Kelly Clarkson is reflecting on her “I Will Always Love You” performance from four years ago.
She confessed during a recent interview with TODAY that she was “very nervous” about the tribute. She also revealed the relatable reason why she felt that way.
“[The ACM was] like, ‘Will you do a tribute?’ And I was like, ‘Of course, I’ll show up. Where do you want me?’ And then they were like, ‘Oh, she [Parton] picked this song.’ And I was like, ‘What?’ I was like, ‘You want me to sing which one?'”
She continued to say, “I was very nervous because that’s not a song anyone wants to touch.”
Clarkson’s concern was understandable. After all, it’s no small feat to sing “I Will Always Love You” (and sing it well). Especially after following in the footsteps of legends such as Dolly Parton and Whitney Houston. But we think most fans will agree that Clarkson did the song justice.
Watch more from Clarkson’s interview with TODAY in the clip below.
A few months after Clarkson’s ACM Awards performance, Parton was a guest on her talk show. They sang “9 to 5” together during “Kellyoke,” and also joined in an impromptu “I Will Always Love You” duet.
Parton sang lead, and Clarkson accompanied her by singing harmony. Their voices blended together beautifully, and their performance left everyone in awe.
Revisit their collaboration in the video below. We’re sure Kelly Clarkson will always treasure this moment…
Clarkson was one of the many celebrities who shared a heartfelt tribute to Parton after her passing. In a post on Instagram, she wrote:
“Dolly Parton had a way of making everyone feel special, and seen, and welcomed, and as if you were old friends. I will miss her heart and her voice as I am sure millions will.”
Clarkson ended her post by saying, “What an incredible gift and talent she was and still is with an amazing catalogue of art she has left behind for all of us.”
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves…
