Sam Smith joined forces with Kelly Clarkson for an intimate performance of “Breakaway” on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
On Tuesday (Oct. 11), the pair put on a breathtaking show as a part of the “Kellyoke” series, a segment where Clarkson covers her favorite songs and invites others to join her. Clarkson was thrilled to have Smith join her for a performance of one of the most iconic hits of her musical career.
“Breakaway” appears on The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement soundtrack and also appears on Clarkson’s second studio album of the same name. The track, which was co-written by Matthew Gerrard, Bridget Benenate and Avril Lavigne, was originally intended for Lavigne’s debut studio album, Let Go (2002). However, it made its way to Clarkson and Lavigne and Clarkson are both glad it did.
Clarkson’s music director, Jason Halbert, shared his excitement on the collaboration.
“It’s a little bit different for us because we have 15 years of playing this song in a certain key, and we’ve lowered it a little bit for Sam. So I can’t wait to hear what they do with this song together, it’ll be cool hearing their voices together.”
The two rehearsed as Clarkson took the high harmony and Smith sang the lead.
“I’m scared to sing this,” Smith revealed in the rehearsal footage.
“Oh my god, no I’m scared to sing it because I do it on tour differently sometimes,” Clarkson replied.
Despite their hesitation, the pair put on a stunning performance with Smith’s prominent vocal range on display and Clarkson’s perfectly blended harmonies. The crowd went wild for this collaboration, with fans commenting that it is something they never knew they needed.
READ: Sam Smith Tells Kelly Clarkson That Ed Sheeran Gifted Smith A 6-Foot Marble Penis That Weighs Two Tons
The award-winning singers also dished on Smith’s newest release, “Unholy,” featuring Kim Petras, which has just reached a second week at No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S.
Clarkson read the lyrics to the crowd: “Lucky lucky girl / She got married to a boy like you / She’d kick you out if she ever ever knew / Bout all the shit / You tell me that you do.”
“If this is a real story, give me her number so she can know,” Clarkson joked.
“Oh totally,” Smith replied. With some uncertainty, Clarkson wondered, “Is that real?”
“I think she knows honestly,” Smith answered. “Oh, it is real!” Clarkson vocalized in shock.
Smith went on to explain. “It’s always real. This song is about being a part of someone’s secret that you don’t want to be a part of. And being in the music industry, I’ve spent a lot of time with a lot of guys and a lot of dirty pigs, and I’ve been a part of secrets I don’t want to be a part of sometimes.”
Clarkson went on to share a personal anecdote about her experience telling a friend they were being cheated on, and receiving backlash during the aftermath even though Clarkson and Smith both agreed she did the right thing.
“You’re a good friend for doing that. If I was in that situation with a close friend of mine I would 100% tell them,” Smith said reassuringly.
Clarkson complimented Smith on the new song as Smith chuckled, “It’s filthy. It’s my villain era.”
The Kelly Clarkson Show can be watched on NBC on weekdays at 3pm CST and streamed on Peacock.
