Kelly Clarkson Officially Reigns as the Queen of Halloween
Over the years, Kelly Clarkson has built a reputation for being the ultimate Halloween enthusiast, and her annual celebration on The Kelly Clarkson Show has become a fan-favorite tradition. Each October, the singer transforms her daytime talk show into a full-blown Halloween extravaganza — complete with elaborate costumes, themed performances, and a decked-out set that immerses the audience in spooky fun.
A History of Iconic Halloween Moments
Clarkson never settles for simple when it comes to her Halloween specials. Fans fondly remember when she and her backup singers dressed as the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus for a powerful rendition of “I Put a Spell on You,” or when she went viral for her playful, high-energy version of “Monster Mash.”
Each year’s special brings a new creative twist, blending humor, music, and cinematic flair — and 2025 was no exception.
A 1940s Murder Mystery Spectacular
For The Kelly Clarkson Show’s 2025 Halloween episode, Clarkson and her crew turned back the clock to the 1940s, embracing a glamorous film noir murder mystery theme.
In a behind-the-scenes clip shared to Instagram, Clarkson gave fans a sneak peek at her transformation. The video begins with her in casual clothes before cutting to her full retro ensemble: a short blonde curly wig, sparkling diamond jewelry, and a satin red gown worthy of a Hollywood siren.
Her band, My Band Y’all, matched the theme perfectly — the men in crisp white tuxedos, the women in vintage floor-length gowns. The video even switched to black and white, giving it that authentic old-Hollywood atmosphere, complete with smoky lighting and moody jazz undertones.
Kelly’s Homage to Dick Tracy
According to PEOPLE, Clarkson’s Kellyoke performance for the special paid tribute to the 1990 film Dick Tracy. Her song choice was “Sooner or Later,” the sultry Stephen Sondheim composition originally sung by Madonna, which went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
During her opening monologue, Clarkson shared her lifelong love for the film, confessing she’s “been obsessed” with Dick Tracy since childhood.
To tie it all together, the show introduced a playful mystery element — when Clarkson went to introduce her band, she discovered that her music director, Jason, was missing, prompting her to exclaim, “Whodunit?!”
Why Fans Love Kelly’s Halloween Specials
Clarkson’s Halloween episodes have become a cornerstone of her show because they blend her two biggest strengths — world-class vocals and warm, relatable humor — while celebrating the creativity that fans adore.
From spooky classics to cinematic throwbacks, each year’s theme proves why Kelly Clarkson truly is the Queen of Halloween — effortlessly combining glamour, music, and laughter into one unforgettable celebration.
