Introduction
Despite her monumental success in music, television, and even children’s literature, Broadway remains an unconquered frontier for the multi-talented Kelly Clarkson. For years, fans and industry insiders have speculated about her potential to grace the Great White Way, fueled by her powerful vocals, infectious personality, and profound passion for musical theater. In recent years, Clarkson’s relocation to New York City and candid confessions about her Broadway aspirations have ignited even more excitement.
So, does Kelly Clarkson have concrete plans to perform on Broadway? Here’s what she’s said, along with the four key factors that make her an ideal candidate for the stage, and why the timing might not be quite right just yet.
A Lifelong Love Affair with Broadway
There’s no hiding Clarkson’s adoration for Broadway. She has consistently expressed her passion for the art form, from childhood dreams of performing on stage to her current role as an advocate for musical theater through her talk show. She even self-identifies as a “Broadway nerd,” a sentiment she shared in a 2022 interview with Variety, stating, “I have fantasies of maybe Broadway one day. I have been releasing it into the world ever since I was a young child.”
Clarkson herself cited Broadway as a major reason for the 2023 move of The Kelly Clarkson Show from Los Angeles to New York City. Her affinity for Broadway is evident in her work; her “Kellyoke” segment often features show tunes, showcasing her ability to tackle theatrical material with emotional depth and vocal technique, with performances like “She Used to Be Mine” from Waitress and “Losing My Mind* from Follies. Her hit song “Since U Been Gone” is a highlight in the Broadway jukebox musical & Juliet, and she invited the show’s lead, Lorna Courtney, to perform it on her show.
Beyond performing covers, Clarkson has hinted at a more active involvement, revealing in a 2023 Today Show interview that she’s been writing a Broadway musical for over a year and a half. These moments demonstrate her profound respect for the stage. “I’m in the process of like writing something for Broadway right now,” she stated, adding that while she might star in it, her current focus is on the behind-the-scenes creation.
Versatile Vocal and Acting Prowess
Clarkson’s vocal capabilities are undeniable. With a voice consistently ranked by publications like Rolling Stone and Billboard among the best in music history, she has proven her ability to command songs across pop, country, adult contemporary, and even dance genres. This versatility makes her an ideal Broadway candidate, where performers must navigate diverse musical styles and convey emotional storytelling. Her ability to adapt her voice to any genre is a crucial talent for musical theater’s challenging scores. Her vast array of “Kellyoke” covers, ranging from Whitney Houston to Radiohead, serve as a testament to her range.
While discussing the demanding eight-show-per-week schedule during a 2025 interview with Broadway actress Sadie Sink, Clarkson humorously remarked, “Girl, I’m 43 years old. I don’t want to do that.” Yet, her performances suggest she’s more than capable. Her rendition of “It’s Quiet Uptown” from Hamilton on the Today Show years ago, alongside her impassioned versions of other show tunes, exemplify her ability to convey the dramatic arcs frequently required in musical theater. Fans have expressed their excitement, with one tweeting, “I have been dying of joy after learning about her Broadway musical project.” With her vocal talent and natural stage instincts, Clarkson has the potential to shine in roles like Elphaba in Wicked or even a new character in her own original musical.
Navigating Obstacles: Family and Schedule
Despite her eagerness, Clarkson’s Broadway aspirations are primarily tempered by her demanding schedule and unwavering commitment to her family. As a single mother to River Rose (10) and Remington (9), she has repeatedly emphasized the importance of settling her children in New York before embarking on new ventures. On the Today Show, she stated, “I would like my kids to get established here, and I would like to get established here.” This indicates her Broadway goals are on hold until their personal lives become more stable. Her 2023 divorce from Brandon Blackstock and the subsequent move to New York were driven by a desire for a fresh start, further complicating her capacity to undertake the intense commitment a Broadway show requires.
Furthermore, the rigorous schedule of The Kelly Clarkson Show, which involves filming multiple episodes each week, leaves little room for the time-intensive demands of the theater industry. Reports in 2025 suggested Clarkson was contemplating leaving her talk show after the 2025-26 season to prioritize her music and family. A source told People in 2025, “She’s thinking that she might need a shift next year when her contract is up.” The pressure of her current workload is evident in her recent postponement of a Las Vegas residency due to laryngitis and her absence from a March 2025 event, reportedly for personal reasons. While a short Broadway run during her show’s summer break is a possibility, as discussed on Reddit’s r/Broadway subreddit, her hesitation about performing eight shows a week suggests she’s not in a hurry to be on stage.
The Broadway Musical in the Works
Perhaps the most exciting piece of Clarkson’s Broadway puzzle is her ongoing pursuit of composing a musical. “I’ve been doing that for about a year and a half now,” she stated in 2023, confirming her venture despite keeping details under wraps. The news has sparked significant buzz among fans and industry analysts, with one user tweeting, “Kelly Clarkson is going to get that Tony.”
Her move to New York has positioned her perfectly to collaborate with Broadway professionals, and her show’s new location at Rockefeller Center provides opportunities to feature musicals like Merrily We Roll Along and Shucked, further immersing her in the theater community. However, there have been no new updates on the musical since 2023, suggesting it’s still in its preliminary stages. Clarkson’s deliberate approach, prioritizing taking her time and ensuring her family is settled, indicates a commitment to quality over haste. Her background as a seasoned songwriter, evidenced by hits like “Because of You” and her 2023 album Chemistry, equips her to craft an engaging score. However, writing for Broadway requires a distinct skill set, blending narrative with music. Whether she ultimately stars in the musical or focuses on writing, her involvement has the potential to reshape her career, possibly adding a Tony Award to her Grammy and Emmy accolades as she strives for EGOT status.
The Path Ahead
Kelly Clarkson’s Broadway ambitions are very much alive, though tempered by practical considerations. While her passion for theater, vocal prowess, and ongoing musical project make her a prime candidate for the stage, it’s likely her Broadway debut as a performer may be a few years away. For now, Clarkson is content to celebrate Broadway through her show, featuring performers like Josh Groban and Bernadette Peters, while she quietly works on her musical behind the scenes. “I’m in love with theater and Broadway and all of that, and I never thought I’d get a chance to do anything like that,” she shared in an interview with Talk Shop Live. Whether as a performer or a creative force, a Broadway chapter for Kelly Clarkson seems inevitable. The only question is when.