Kelly Clarkson is Absent as Guest Hosts Takes Over Talk Show

Fans of The Kelly Clarkson Show have been wondering where the beloved host has been, as Kelly Clarkson has been absent from her own talk show for nearly a week. While Clarkson has not publicly addressed her break, a lineup of celebrity guest hosts has stepped in to keep the show running.

Kelly Clarkson‘s absence first became noticeable on February 28, when comedian Roy Wood Jr. took the stage and informed viewers that he would be filling in. “Today, I’m up early with y’all at 30 Rock to fill in for Kelly and I’m also trying to take Lester Holt’s old job at the anchor desk,” he joked.

A few days later, on March 3, actor Simu Liu was tapped as a last-minute host. “Welcome to The Kelly Clarkson Show! Wow, before we get started I do have a confession to make. I am not Kelly Clarkson,” Liu quipped. He revealed that he only found out about his hosting gig five minutes before stepping on set.

Kelly Clarkson returned briefly for a couple of episodes before taking another extended break. Roy Wood Jr. returned as guest host on March 6, reassuring viewers, “Kelly’s out for the day, but please don’t worry. I’m back as guest host. You’re in good hands.”

Since then, Wanda Sykes and Brooke Shields have taken turns hosting, and on March 12, TODAY’s Willie Geist got his shot at the guest host chair. Willie Geist, who will be turning 50 in May, took the opportunity to check an item off his bucket list. “Guest host a talk show normally hosted by the winner of a national singing competition,” he read from his list. “Oddly specific… but now I get to cross that out.”

Model and actress Molly Sims is expected to take over hosting duties for the remainder of the week.

Meanwhile, Kelly Clarkson has not addressed her absence on social media. Her last Instagram post on February 17 promoted tickets for her upcoming concerts in Atlantic City.

When The Kelly Clarkson Show’s official Instagram account posted the lineup of guest hosts, concerned fans flooded the comments. “When will Kelly be back?” one asked. Another reassured, “We don’t need to know her business but need to know she is OK, please.”

While the show has yet to announce when Kelly Clarkson will return, fans remain hopeful that she is taking a well-deserved break and will be back in the hosting chair soon.