Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this. Kelly Clarkson reacted to her viral American Idol performance on Thursday, February 25, which had the entire room, including judges Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez, in tears.
The season 1 Idol winner, 33, who's currently expecting her second child with husband Brandon Blackstock, got choked up and wiped tears from her eyes as she sang her hit "Piece by Piece" on Thursday's live episode. During her return to the stage, the judges were overcome with emotion — like the rest of Us.
"What an emotional night," Clarkson later tweeted to her 10.7 million followers. "Thanks @AmericanIdol for such a beautiful beginning & a perfect ending."
American Idol is currently in its 15th and final season. The show launched Clarkson's massive success after she was crowned 14 years ago. Since winning the title, Clarkson has released seven studio albums and won 12 Grammys. She's also received nominations and wins for other honors, including MTV VMAs, Billboard Music Awards and more.
Commercial break!!! #KellyOnIdol pic.twitter.com/yUiIGoaYUq
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) February 26, 2016
Like Clarkson, Urban also took to Twitter to react to the viral moment.
.@kelly_clarkson – I am truly speechless. Thank you for gracing us tonight with your beautiful heart, soul, gift, & your pure humanity! – KU
— Keith Urban (@KeithUrban) February 26, 2016
Longtime host Ryan Seacrest — the only person on the long-running show who was present when Clarkson won in 2002 — also shared his thoughts with viewers.
hard not to cry watching @JLo cry
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) February 26, 2016
Judge Harry Connick Jr. spoke to Us Weekly and other reporters about Clarkson at the Idol finalists' party at the London West Hollywood hotel on Thursday night.
"You have to give it up for Kelly Clarkson," he told Us. "The fact that such a huge superstar won it that first year and made such an immediate connection with the world — people wanted to tune in and see if it would happen again. I did and people that I know did, so I think that’s why."
Relive the moment above.
