Fashion expert Lawrence Zarian is opening up about the upcoming finale of his dear friend Kelly Clarkson‘s daytime talk show.
Read more Confederate flag fuels fresh controversy over NC at national ‘State Fair’
“It is so bittersweet because everybody loves her,” Zarian, 61, exclusively told Us Weekly on Saturday, June 28, while walking the Project Angel Food red carpet in Hollywood. “It is the best job in the world, the best family in the world. Alex Duda, our executive producer, and Kareen Gunning run a beautiful ship, and it has been an honor to be a part of their family.”
He continued, “But then Kelly and I, we fell in love with each other. We created this wonderful relationship. I call her Kelly Clarkson Zarian. And I got to sing a duet with Kelly Clarkson!”
In February, Clarkson, 44, announced her Emmy-winning talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show will come to an end after its seventh season.
“I have been extremely fortunate to work with such an outstanding group of people at The Kelly Clarkson Show, both in Los Angeles and New York,” Clarkson told Us in a statement at the time. “There have been so many amazing moments and shows over these seven seasons. I am forever grateful and honored to have worked alongside the greatest band and crew you could hope for, all the talent and inspiring people who have shared their time and lives with us, all the fans who have supported our show and to NBC for always being such a supportive and incredible partner.”
She added, “Because of all that, this was not an easy decision, but this season will be my last hosting The Kelly Clarkson Show. Stepping away from the daily schedule will allow me to prioritize my kids, which feels necessary and right for this next chapter of our lives.” (Clarkson shared daughter Rose and son Remy with her late ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, who died in August 2025 after a private three-year cancer battle. He was 48.)
Zarian told Us on Saturday that from “day one” he had his heart set on eventually singing alongside the American Idol winner.
Read more Confederate flag fuels fresh controversy over NC at national ‘State Fair’
“From day one I’ve said, ‘Let’s sing.’ And then I started pushing it a little bit, and again and again,” he explained. “What started as a gag became a joke, and then reality set in. And then she said, ‘Sure.’ I said, ‘Who do we talk to?” She said, ‘It’s my show.’ Then I sort of let it go because I didn’t think it was going to happen. Then she came up to me and said, ‘We have two weeks. We’ve got a date on the boards.’ I got a voice coach. I’ve never sung in my life. I studied for two weeks.”
The TV personality told Us that he has “never been more committed to anything in my life,” revealing that what aired on the show was the actual, very first time the pair ever sang together.
“There’s a shot of Kelly looking at me that really touches my heart so deeply,” he added. “Because they say a picture really is worth a thousand words. And the way she loves me? The fact that she gave me that moment. And it’s funny, people have been really supportive. It was a song from Little Shop of Horrors called ‘Suddenly Seymour.’ And then other people have had their judgements. It wasn’t about singing with Kelly. It was about singing next to Kelly. It wasn’t about my voice. It was about that moment. The best moment of my life, truly.”
As for what’s next for the singer after she leaves the life of daytime TV behind, Zarian knows exactly where Clarkson’s focus will be.
“She’s going to be a mom,” he said. “She’s going to be a mom and take care of her kids. Unfortunately, the father of those kids passed and I think life travels so fast. When you’re Kelly Clarkson, you don’t get to slow down. She’s choosing her kids. She’s putting her own oxygen mask on – and hopefully writing a duet for us!”
Read more Eric McCormack Describes Sad ‘Will & Grace’ Reunion at Jimmy Burrows’ Funeral
Copyright 2026 Us Weekly. All rights reserved
This story was originally published June 28, 2026 at 12:49 PM.