In 2002, Kelly Clarkson won a brand-new singing competition reality show called American Idol. Her time in the spotlight far from fleeting, the Texas native has racked up awards and built a reputation as one of the greatest voices of all time. This summer, Clarkson is taking over The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for a brand-new residency. However, just hours before curtain call, the “Miss Independent” singer, 43, abruptly canceled the first two shows.
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‘American Idol’ Champion’s Las Vegas Residency Gets a Delayed Start
Kelly Clarkson: Studio Sessions was supposed to kick off Wednesday, July 4, with the first of 18 shows at The Colosseum. However, the three-time Grammy Award winner shared disappointing news on social media.
“I am beyond grateful that you always show up for me,” she wrote, “and I am devastated to have to postpone tonight and tomorrow’s opening at Caesars.”
Apparently, preparation and rehearsals have taken such a toll on Clarkson that she felt unable to perform to her standards.
[RELATED: Kelly Clarkson Will Appear on a New NBC Show Amid Rumblings of Her Talk Show Exit]
“I want the shows to be perfect for y’all and I need to protect myself from doing serious damage so I am taking this weekend and next week to rest up so that we can deliver what you all deserve,” she said.
According to StubHub, the Emmy winner will instead debut her residency next Friday, July 11. And Clarkson promises a “truly incredible” show.
“The musicians and singers are outstanding, and I want us all to start out strong,” she said. “I can’t wait to be back next weekend and show y’all what we’ve been working on.”
The Dolly Parton Song That Dolly Wants Kelly Clarkson to Perform Live
Kelly Clarkson isn’t the only star taking the stage at The Colosseum this year. The “Queen of Country,” Dolly Parton, has a six-show run scheduled for December.
In a June 2025 social media post, the “Behind These Hazel Eyes” singer shared a photo of an advertisement for Dolly’s show just above the one for her own. “I think this is a sign I should cover a Dolly song at one of my shows…. but which song?” Clarkson wrote in the caption.
While many Instagram users jumped to offer their opinions, perhaps one comment carried more weight than any of the others.
“Hey Kelly, I think you should sing ‘I Will Always Love You’ because I think you do one of the best versions of that song that I have ever heard…” wrote the “Jolene” singer, 79. “Whitney and I would both be proud….”
Well, there we go — discussion over. “Queen has spoken!” declared one Instagram user.
Featured image by Tyler Golden/NBC via Getty Images
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