Kelly Clarkson paid tribute to Reba McEntire at the 41st Kennedy Center Honors with a cover of her famous hit “Fancy.”
Back in 2018, Clarkson honored McEntire with an impressive rendition of the popular hit song, while artists such as Little Big Town, Cyndi Lauper, Adam Lambert and more. Before Clarkson belted out the lyric to the iconic track, she shared a special message, praising McEntire’s voice, storytelling, talents and for being a friend/family member and an amazing grandma to her children.
“I’ve been a fan of Reba [McEntire] since I was a little girl. Her voice has always felt nostalgic for me even as an adult,” Clarkson gushed of hero, McEntire. “There’s something about her tone and her storytelling that just feels like home. Sometimes when we meet our heroes, it doesn’t always pan out how you hope, but meeting Reba, being friends with her and eventually becoming family have been one of the highlights of my life truly. So, thank you so much Reba for listening to me vent as an artist, thank you so much for comforting me on the phone through my tears like a friend. And thank you for being a really rad grandma for kids.”
“I love you so much, I hope you enjoy this song. Don’t judge me,” Clarkson joked before going into her soaring rendition of McEntire’s hit “Fancy.”
Clarkson’s performance earned a massive standing ovation and a thumbs up from McEntire herself, who was also seen standing during the lengthy ovation.
Watch Clarkson’s full performance of “Fancy” below.
McEntire was among a star-studded list of 2018 honorees at the 41st Kennedy Center Honors, including pop icon CHER, Philip Glass, Wayne Shorter and the creators of Hamilton: An American Musical (Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, Alex Lacamoire and Andy Blankenbuehler).
Additionally, Clarkson returned to the Kennedy Center stage this year for a tribute to another country icon, Garth Brooks. The singer performed “The Dance,” a song that she admits she truly relates to, especially throughout the last year while going through divorce.
Tune in on Sunday, June 6 at 8/7c on CBS to watch Clarkson pay tribute to Brooks.
