On May 22, the 43rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors took place, celebrating five extraordinary individuals for their significant contributions to American arts and culture. Among the honorees were choreographer and actress Debbie Allen, legendary musician Joan Baez, acclaimed violinist Midori, entertainment icon Dick Van Dyke, and country music star Garth Brooks.
To pay tribute to these influential figures, a remarkable lineup of performers took the stage, including Derek Hough, Vanessa Hudgens, Pentatonix, Gladys Knight, Emmylou Harris, Jimmie Allen, Yo-Yo Ma, and Kelly Clarkson. The ceremony was broadcast on CBS on Sunday, June 6, and made available for streaming on Paramount+.
One of the most emotionally charged moments of the night came when Kelly Clarkson honored Garth Brooks with a stunning rendition of his classic song, “The Dance.” Clarkson, who has known Brooks for years and welcomed him as a guest on her talk show multiple times, delivered a deeply personal and heartfelt performance that resonated with both the audience and Brooks himself.
Standing on stage in Washington, D.C., Clarkson’s voice wavered with raw emotion as she sang the song that Brooks originally released more than three decades ago. The Emmy-winning talk show host had previously shared with Brooks how much “The Dance” had meant to her during her difficult divorce, explaining that the song helped her process the complex emotions surrounding the end of her marriage.
“So I’m going through a divorce, and people always give you books and advice to help, especially when you have kids,” Clarkson had told Brooks during a past interview. “There’s so much shame and guilt that comes with it. I couldn’t quite put my feelings into words. You don’t want to disregard the relationship, because it mattered, but it also didn’t turn out the way you hoped. Then I was listening to my playlist one day, and ‘The Dance’ came on. And I thought, ‘That’s it. That’s exactly how I feel.’”
During the televised ceremony, Clarkson began her performance a cappella, her voice ringing through the theater with pure, unfiltered emotion. As the melody unfolded, her music director accompanied her on piano, adding to the song’s poignant atmosphere. The cameras frequently cut to Brooks, who was visibly moved, at one point whispering, “That’s so great.”
As the final note faded, Brooks—overcome with emotion—jumped to his feet, removed his hat, and, with tears in his eyes, exclaimed, “Damn!” The power of Clarkson’s rendition left a lasting impression, solidifying the performance as one of the most unforgettable highlights of the evening.
Clarkson’s tribute not only honored Brooks but also underscored the profound impact that music can have in guiding people through life’s most difficult moments. Her ability to connect with the song on such a personal level made the performance all the more powerful, proving once again why she is one of the most compelling vocalists of her generation.