In the heart of Las Vegas, where stars converge and musical history is made, Kelly Clarkson delivered a moment of pure magic during her highly anticipated residency, Chemistry: An Intimate Evening with Kelly Clarkson. The powerhouse vocalist took to the stage and fulfilled a special request from none other than the legendary songwriter herself, Dolly Parton, with a breathtaking performance of the iconic ballad, “I Will Always Love You.”
The story behind the performance is a testament to the mutual admiration between two of music’s brightest stars. It all started with a simple social media post. Clarkson shared a photo of two massive billboards standing side-by-side at Caesars Palace: one for her residency, the other for an upcoming Dolly Parton show. Clarkson mused, “I think this is a sign I should cover a Dolly song at one of my shows…. but which song?”
It didn’t take long for the queen of country music to respond. Dolly Parton left a comment that sent fans into a frenzy, personally requesting that Kelly perform the timeless hit she penned in 1973. “I think you should sing ‘I Will Always Love You’ because I think you do one of the best versions of that song that I have ever heard,” Parton wrote, adding a touching note, “Whitney and I would both be proud.”
On stage, Clarkson shared the delightful story with her audience, admitting the pressure that comes with tackling such a beloved song, famously covered by the late Whitney Houston. “Here’s the thing,” Clarkson confided to the crowd, “this is how much I love Dolly Parton because when Dolly Parton asks you to sing something, you just shut your mouth and do it.” She explained that as a Texas native, she grew up with Parton’s original country version and aimed to create a performance that honored both Dolly’s heartfelt original and Whitney’s soaring, powerful rendition.
And she did just that. Backed by her band, Clarkson poured her heart into the song, delivering a performance that was both emotionally nuanced and vocally spectacular, earning a massive ovation from the Las Vegas crowd.
Here is a clip of the beautiful moment:
This wasn’t the first time Parton had requested Clarkson to sing her song; a similar request led to a celebrated tribute performance at the 2022 ACM Awards. The repeated request underscores Parton’s genuine admiration for Clarkson’s talent. It’s a beautiful, full-circle story of respect between a living legend and one of this generation’s most powerful voices, reminding us all of the enduring power of a great song passed between friends.
