Kelly Clarkson and Shaquille O’Neal joined forces for a collaborative performance during a recent charity event.
Join by O’Neal, Clarkson performed her chart-topping 2004 hit, “Since U Been Gone,” at a star-studded benefit event on Saturday (Oct. 2) in Las Vegas at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The event, presented by Pepsi Stronger Together, supported the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, which benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs and schools. Not only did it feature amazing live music, but also auctions that included items such as Lakers and UFC tickets, a trip to Africa and a walk-on role in an Adam Sandler movie, which O’Neal won for $90,000, according to PEOPLE.
“I started the foundation in 2019 to provide resources and opportunities to kids in need. We partner up with two organizations close to my heart, the Boys and Girls Club and Communities In Schools,” Shaq told Entertainment Tonight. The 49-year-old New Jersey native then recalled his childhood and said that he was always taught to give back as a child, “I remember when that used to be my family.”
During the event, Clarkson shared an emotion-filled story of how she grew up poor and doing these type of charitable events that benefit children are very close to her heart.
“Shaq mentioned that he couldn’t afford daycare, his family couldn’t afford day care. Mine couldn’t either. My mom just happened to work there, so I got in for free,” Clarkson said. “But I love doing events like this, and I love hearing from artists. Everyone sees where we’re at. They don’t see where we came from, and everybody need a helping hand, everybody needs opportunity. I was one of those kids that grew up on hand-me-downs.”
Shaq, wearing black slacks and a maroon suit jacket over his white shirt and black bow tie, danced around the stage as Clarkson belted out the lyrics to the smash hit that appears on her second studio album, Breakaway (2004). The pair concluded the performance singing together before ending with a big hug as the crowd erupted into a thunderous applause.
Watch the epic duet performance from Shaq and Clarkson below.
In addition to performing “Since U Been Gone,” Clarkson also sang “Stronger,” another one of her chart-topping hits that quickly became a fan-favorite from her fifth studio album of the same name.
While Shaq didn’t join Clarkson for her “Stronger” performance, the Texas native surely put her powerhouse vocals on full display as she soared the song, prompting a massive sing-a-long with the capacity crowd in Vegas.
Clarkson was just one of the performers on the star-studded guest list at a recent charity event, hosted by Shaq. In addition to Clarkson, Imagine Dragons, Justin Bieber, Snoop Dogg, Andra Day, Jimmy Kimmel and more also appeared during the event.
Additionally, during a recent appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, the NBA star and former professional basketball player revealed that “Since U Been Gone” is his go-to karaoke song.
