Kelly Clarkson singing an Olivia Rodrigo song? That’s always a good idea.
On the latest episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show on Thursday (May 16), the talk show host took the Kellyoke stage for a cover of the 21-year-old pop star’s single “Bad Idea Right?,” injecting her New York City studio with a bit of pop punk angst.
Dressed in a cheetah-print top and joined by her band Y’all, Clarkson’s powerful voice added some oomph to Rodrigo’s playful anthem about hooking up with an ex-boyfriend — in spite of what your friends might think. “Yes, I know that he’s my ex, but can’t two people reconnect?” she belted, washed over by intense red stage lights. “‘I only see him as a friend,’ the biggest lie I ever said.”
The second single from Rodrigo’s sophomore LP Guts, “Bad Idea Right?” peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album — which spawned the No. 1 hit single “Vampire” — debuted atop the Billboard 200 in 2023.
It’s not the first tune from the High School Musical: The Musical: The Series alum’s catalog that Clarkson has covered. In April, the “Stronger” vocalist put her own spin on Rodrigo’s Hunger Games soundtrack contribution “Can’t Catch Me Now” for Kellyoke, and she’s previously performed “Vampire,” “Traitor” and “Drivers License” on The Kelly Clarkson Show as well.
Rodrigo herself has also stopped by the talk show in the past. In December, she and Clarkson gushed about the “Good 4 U” artist’s Edward Cullen in-ear speakers and fangirled over Alanis Morissette together.
Watch Clarkson perform Rodrigo’s “Bad Idea Right?” on Kellyoke above.