For the 1000th episode, Kelly Clarkson didn’t just sing—she set the stage on fire. Taking on Whitney Houston’s iconic hit “I Have Nothing” is a dare most wouldn’t touch, but Kelly isn’t most people. Simon once told her she’d stand shoulder to shoulder with legends like Whitney, Mariah, Celine, and Aretha—and she keeps proving him right. Covering Whitney is sacred ground, and only a rare few belong there. Kelly Clarkson is one of them. My expectations were sky-high, but somehow, she soared even higher. Legend.

Clarkson’s eponymous talk show launched on NBC in 2019

Because of you, Kelly Clarkson, there are 1,000 more episodes of daytime TV to celebrate!

On Thursday, March 20, the multi-talented Grammy winner marked a new milestone: the 1,000th episode of her NBC talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Clarkson, who had been noticeably absent from her hosting duties the week prior, made a grand return just in time for the big day, kicking off the episode with a performance of none other than Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” alongside bandmates Jason Halbert and Jaco Caraco.

The special guests for the 1,000 episode included Tyler Perry — whom Clarkson interviewed while hopped up on caffeine, she said — and Alicia Vikander, who brought soft licorice, a special Swedish candy, for Clarkson to try in honor of the special show.

“I’m so glad you’re here to help me!” Perry quipped as Vikander arrived to talk about her “psychotic” new movie The Assessment.

Perry, meanwhile, shared the inspiration behind his new Prime Video thriller Duplicity with Clarkson and even teased Sister Act 3, much to the excitement of Clarkson’s live studio audience (where PEOPLE was present for the special show!)

Kelly Clarkson, Tyler Perry, Alicia Vikander — (L-R) Kelly Clarkson, Tyler Perry and Alicia Vikander celebrates 1,000 episodes of ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’. Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal

Clarkson’s musical guest for the day was Venezuelan duo Mau y Ricky, who performed their latest single “Noche de Luna” and discussed growing up in a musical family (their father is famous Venezuelan artist Ricardo Montaner).

They also came bearing gifts in honor of the show’s 1,000th episode: special Venezuelan rum, which the trio used to toast the big accomplishment.

By the end of the episode, a thoroughly delighted Clarkson was surprised by her producers with a montage of her two children, River, 10, and Remy, 8, as part of the show’s “What I’m Liking” segment.

Insisting that she’d manage to hold it together and ward off any tears, Clarkson — ever the proud mom — all but wiped her eyes just once.

The Kelly Clarkson Show airs weekdays at 3 p.m. on NBC.