Kelly Clarkson Recalls Backstage Comfort From Dolly Parton Minutes After Divorce Was Finalized

The singer reflected on the exchange during an appearance on the ‘Las Culturistas’ podcast

LOS ANGELES – Kelly Clarkson has reflected on an emotional backstage encounter with the late Dolly Parton, recounting how the country music icon offered comforting words just 30 minutes after Clarkson learned her divorce had been finalized.

Speaking on the Las Culturistas podcast with hosts Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, Clarkson looked back on performing a tribute cover of "I Will Always Love You" at Parton's request, describing the overwhelming personal circumstances surrounding the performance.

"Not many people knew — I mean they knew she was side-stage and like watching me do it, but they didn't know, like my divorce papers — everything was final, my life — 30 minutes before that performance," Clarkson said. "So I found out right before that performance. And I'm sitting there and she kind of caught me. We were backstage and I was like, 'I'm sorry... it's just kind of a wild moment for me.'"

Clarkson said Parton’s composure and warmth backstage helped her pull herself together before stepping out to sing.

"She's just one of those people you don't have to know your whole life but you can in one instance," Clarkson continued. "That moment for me, and what she said backstage to me was just a really beautiful thing, and really helpful, because I was like, 'Oh my God, you cannot break. Like this moment isn't about you. Like this is a tribute to someone.' ... It was just a really weird hour for me. She was very, very cool and I'll never forget that moment."

The singer had previously spoken warmly about Parton during an appearance on Today in September, praising her character and noting that "even the first time I met her, [it] was like we’ve known each other for years."

Parton passed away from cancer at age 80 in late August, prompting an outpouring of tributes from the music community. In an Instagram post following the news, Clarkson praised Parton's ability to make "everyone feel special, and seen, and welcomed, and as if you were old friends," adding that she would deeply miss the artist's heart and catalog of work.

Clarkson was married to talent manager Brandon Blackstock from 2013 to 2022. The former couple had two children together, River Rose, 11, and Remington Alexander, 10. Blackstock died of cancer in 2025 at age 48.