Kelly Clarkson Covered Dolly Parton's 'Jolene,' and It Was Stunning

Kelly Clarkson lit up the internet on March 7 at the 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards after she covered Dolly Parton's iconic hit "I Will Always Love You" (made popular, of course, by the late, great Whitney Houston). And the Voice Coach is keeping the Parton momentum going by giving her take on another classic: "Jolene." 

Yes, Clarkson covered "Jolene" on her eponymous NBC talk show, as part of her popular "Kellyoke" series. Her outfit was perfect for the song: a white floral dress and brown leather belt that offered a chic spin on country fashion. And Clarkson's voice, naturally, was phenomenal. Watch her cover of "Jolene" for yourself in the video, above. 

Parton was moved by Clarkson's cover of "I Will Always Love You." "I know that Whitney is smiling down on us tonight, so thank you very much. She would be proud of that," she said, according to Yahoo!. "I was backstage trying not to cry my false eyelashes off, slinging snot in every direction and tears. But anyway, that was an amazing job."

Clarkson is a big fan of Parton's, too. She shared a photo of herself with the country-music icon on Instagram after the 2022 ACMs. "What is life!? I love you @DollyParton," Clarkson wrote in the caption. 

If Clarkson's "Jolene" cover has you craving more Kelly music content, you're in luck. Tune in to watch her and Snoop Dogg as Hosts of American Song Contest when it premieres Monday, March 21 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. The new music competition show, modeled after Eurovision Song Contest, centers on singers from 50 U.S. states, five territories, and Washington, D.C who perform original songs—and viewers decide which one is the best.