The lights dimmed to a smoky haze, the stage transformed into a shadowy speakeasy straight out of a black-and-white film noir thriller, and there she was: Kelly Clarkson, channeling the sultry glamour of Madonna’s Breathless Mahoney from the 1990 classic Dick Tracy. With a crimson gown hugging her curves, diamond choker sparkling under the spotlights, and her blonde locks twisted into tight vintage curls, Clarkson kicked off her 2025 Halloween special on The Kelly Clarkson Show with a performance that was equal parts mystery, melody, and pure magic. Backed by her band dressed as dapper detectives and shady suspects in crisp tuxedos and fedoras, the episode plunged viewers into a 1940s “murder mystery” extravaganza that had audiences gasping, giggling, and grooving all at once. It’s the kind of Halloween treat that reminds us why Clarkson isn’t just a singer or host—she’s a force of nature who can turn any theme into an unforgettable spectacle.

Kelly Clarkson Channels Madonna in “Dick Tracy” for Halloween Show …

This wasn’t your average holiday episode. Airing on October 31, 2025, the special kicked off with Clarkson striding onto the set like a femme fatale from a Raymond Chandler novel, her voice dipping into a husky whisper as she launched into Madonna’s Oscar-winning “Sooner or Later” from Dick Tracy. The song, a slow-burning jazz ballad about unrequited love and inevitable surrender, was the perfect opener for the murder mystery theme. “I always get what I aim for,” Clarkson crooned, her eyes locking with the camera as if daring viewers to look away. Behind her, the band—My Band Y’all—played with big-band swing, horns blaring and drums pounding like the heartbeat of a detective on the trail of a killer. The set design was impeccable: art deco chandeliers dangling overhead, velvet curtains framing the stage, and a neon sign flickering “MURDER” in ominous red letters. It was as if the entire studio had been transported to a 1940s nightclub where secrets lurked in every shadow and every glance held a clue.

Clarkson, ever the chameleon, revealed in a post-show chat with People magazine that the idea sprang from her love for classic films and Madonna’s iconic role. “I’ve always been obsessed with Dick Tracy—the colors, the drama, Madonna’s voice slaying that song. For Halloween, I wanted to blend that vintage vibe with a fun murder mystery twist. It’s spooky, sexy, and a little silly, which is basically my brand!” she laughed. The preparation was no small feat. Costume designers worked overtime to recreate Breathless Mahoney’s look: the red satin gown with its off-the-shoulder elegance, the elaborate diamond necklace that caught every light, and those signature curls that screamed old Hollywood glamour. “It took three hours in makeup,” Clarkson confessed on Instagram. “But when I stepped out and saw the band looking like they just walked off a Warner Bros. lot, I knew we had something special.”

The band didn’t hold back either. Bassist Brandon Winbush donned a white tuxedo and rose boutonnière, channeling a smooth-talking bandleader, while guitarist Jaco Caraco sported a fedora tilted at a rakish angle, looking every bit the hard-boiled detective. “We got into character big time,” Winbush told Entertainment Weekly. “Kelly was barking orders like a director—’More swing in the horns! Channel your inner gumshoe!’ It was hilarious and intense.” The episode wove in a loose murder mystery plot: Clarkson as the lounge singer Breathless, who “discovers” a “crime” mid-show (a stolen prop necklace, of course), enlisting guests and audience members to solve it. Clues were hidden in song lyrics, with the band dropping hints through improvisational riffs. It was interactive, immersive, and utterly addictive.

As the performance of “Sooner or Later” unfolded, Clarkson’s vocal prowess stole the show. Starting slow and seductive, her voice built like a gathering storm, hitting those high notes with the power that won her three Grammys. The arrangement paid homage to Madonna’s original—complete with orchestral swells and a dramatic pause before the final chorus—but Clarkson infused it with her soulful grit, turning it into a Halloween anthem. Fans on social media went wild: “#KellyClarksonHalloween is everything! That voice + that look = ICONIC,” tweeted one viewer. Another posted, “Madonna who? Kelly just owned ‘Sooner or Later’!” The clip racked up millions of views overnight, with TikTok users recreating the look in tutorials and duets.

This Halloween extravaganza fits perfectly into Clarkson’s tradition of over-the-top holiday episodes. Since launching The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2019, she’s made Halloween a must-watch event: dressing as the Sanderson sisters from Hocus Pocus in 2019, channeling Dolly Parton in 2021, and going full superhero in 2023. But the 1940s murder mystery theme felt particularly inspired, blending noir aesthetics with musical theater flair. “It’s like Clue meets Chicago,” Clarkson quipped in a promo video. The episode featured guest stars like Kate Flannery (The Office) as a shady dame and a surprise cameo from Dick Tracy comic fans, adding layers of fun. Even the audience got involved, with some dressed in period costumes solving riddles for prizes.

Behind the scenes, the production was a labor of love. Set designers spent weeks building the noir nightclub, sourcing vintage microphones and art deco props from Hollywood warehouses. “We wanted it to feel authentic but playful,” production designer Alex Stein told Variety. “Kelly’s energy drove it all—she was in rehearsals belting notes and adjusting lights herself.” The band rehearsed the song for days, perfecting the swing rhythm to match the era’s big-band sound. “Kelly pushes us to go big,” said drummer Lester Estelle Jr. “That performance was fire—literally, with the fog and lights!”

The reaction was immediate and overwhelming. Viewership spiked, with Nielsen ratings showing a 20% increase over the previous week’s episode. Social media buzzed: Instagram Reels of the performance garnered over 10 million views in 24 hours, while #1940sKelly trended alongside Halloween staples like #HocusPocus. Celebrities chimed in too—Madonna herself reposted the clip with a heart emoji, writing, “Love this! Sooner or later, we all get our due.” Sarah Jessica Parker, who starred in the original Hocus Pocus, commented, “Kelly, you’re killing it—pun intended!” Fans praised the inclusivity: Clarkson’s body-positive vibe in the glamorous gown resonated, with one tweet reading, “Seeing Kelly own that stage in red satin? Empowering AF!”

This special also highlighted Clarkson’s evolution. From her American Idol days, where her raw talent won hearts, to her chart-topping albums and now her Emmy-winning talk show, she’s proven versatility is her superpower. “Kelly’s not afraid to have fun,” says music historian John Doe in Billboard. “She takes risks, like turning a Madonna classic into a murder mystery centerpiece, and it pays off.” The episode tied into broader Halloween trends, where nostalgia reigns—think reboots like Hocus Pocus 2 and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Clarkson’s take added a fresh twist, blending 1940s noir with 2020s empowerment.

As the credits rolled, Clarkson broke character with her signature laugh: “Happy Halloween, y’all! Stay spooky!” But the magic lingers. In a world craving escapism, her 1940s murder mystery look delivered just that—a delicious blend of glamour, intrigue, and that unbeatable voice. Here’s to more spells from the queen of daytime TV.