Picture this: the studio lights dim to an eerie purple haze, fog rolls across the stage like a witch’s brew, and from the shadows emerges a figure with flaming red hair piled high in impossible curls, clad in a velvet green robe embroidered with arcane symbols. It’s Halloween 2019, and Kelly Clarkson isn’t just hosting her daytime talk show—she’s channeling the wicked Winifred Sanderson from the beloved 1993 cult classic Hocus Pocus. Flanked by her backup singers transformed into the mischievous Mary and Sarah Sanderson, Clarkson unleashes a sultry, spellbinding rendition of “I Put a Spell on You” that sends chills down spines and ignites a firestorm of viral adoration. It’s a performance so haunting, so perfectly pitched between nostalgia and powerhouse vocals, that even six years later, fans are still under its enchantment.

In that magical moment on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Clarkson didn’t merely pay homage to a Disney favorite; she resurrected the Sanderson sisters in all their cackling glory, proving once again why she’s one of music’s most versatile and beloved icons. With her voice dipping into smoky lows and soaring to electrifying highs, she turned a simple cover into a Halloween masterpiece that blended theatrical flair, vocal acrobatics, and pure, unadulterated fun. But what made this special so unforgettable? Let’s dive deep into the cauldron of creativity that bubbled up that day, stirring memories of childhood frights and adult admiration for a star who knows how to cast a spell like no other.

The roots of this bewitching tribute trace back to Hocus Pocus, the 1993 fantasy comedy that has become a Halloween staple, grossing over $50 million at the box office upon release and spawning a 2022 sequel that raked in even more. Directed by Kenny Ortega, the film stars Bette Midler as the fierce Winifred, Sarah Jessica Parker as the ditzy Sarah, and Kathy Najimy as the bumbling Mary—three 17th-century witches resurrected in modern-day Salem to suck the life from children and regain their youth. The movie’s blend of campy humor, catchy spells, and that iconic performance of “I Put a Spell on You” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins has cemented it as a generational touchstone. Midler’s Winifred, with her exaggerated buck teeth, wild red wig, and commanding presence, is the film’s beating heart, belting out the song in a show-stopping number that turns a Virginian town square into a hypnotic dance party.

Fast-forward to 2019, and Kelly Clarkson—fresh off her American Idol victory in 2002 and a string of Grammy-winning albums like Breakaway (2004) and Stronger (2011)—had just launched her eponymous talk show. The program quickly became a hit for its blend of celebrity interviews, heartfelt moments, and Clarkson’s signature “Kellyoke” segment, where she covers fan-requested songs with her impeccable range. For Halloween, the team decided to go all out, transforming the set into a spooky Salem-inspired wonderland complete with cobwebs, flickering candles, and a full moon backdrop that evoked the film’s magical mischief.

Clarkson revealed in a post-show interview with People magazine that the idea sparked from her lifelong love of Hocus Pocus. “I’ve watched that movie every Halloween since I was a kid,” she said. “Winifred is such an icon—fierce, funny, and a total diva. I knew if I was going to do Halloween right, I had to channel that energy.” The preparation was meticulous: Clarkson’s team collaborated with costume designers to replicate Winifred’s look down to the last detail. The orange wig was custom-curled to defy gravity, the green robe flowed with velvet opulence over a purple corset, and the makeup included that signature red lipstick applied only in the center of her lips, mimicking Midler’s exaggerated pout. “It took hours in the chair,” Clarkson laughed in the article. “But when I saw myself in the mirror, I felt like I could cast a spell on the whole audience!”

Her backup singers, Nayanna Holley and Jessi Collins, joined the fun as Mary and Sarah. Holley embodied Mary’s vacuum-sniffing quirkiness with a wild black wig and a red gown, while Collins captured Sarah’s seductive innocence in flowing purple silks and blonde tresses. “We had so much fun getting into character,” Holley told Entertainment Weekly. “Kelly was barking orders like Winifred from the start—’Sistahs, gather round!’ It was hilarious.” The dancers, dressed in burgundy marching band uniforms reminiscent of the film’s enchanted townsfolk, added to the chaos, twirling and gyrating in hypnotic synchronization.

As the episode kicked off, Clarkson teased the audience with her opening line: “Halloween is full of frights and surprises. In fact, you never know what might happen.” The crowd, many in their own costumes, erupted in cheers as the lights dimmed and the familiar opening notes of “I Put a Spell on You” slithered through the speakers. But this wasn’t Midler’s brassy, Broadway-style belt; Clarkson reinvented it with a slower, jazz-infused arrangement that started as a sultry whisper and built to a vocal volcano. Her voice, that powerhouse instrument honed over two decades of chart-toppers, dipped into gravelly lows on lines like “I put a spell on you, and now you’re mine,” then soared to crystalline highs that pierced the air like a witch’s cackle.

The performance was a visual feast. Clarkson strutted across the stage with Winifred’s exaggerated swagger, her hands clawing the air as if summoning spirits. Holley and Collins flanked her, harmonizing with playful menace—Holley’s deeper tones grounding the melody, Collins’ airy falsetto adding ethereal whimsy. The dancers encircled them, their movements a blend of choreography and chaos, mimicking the film’s spellbound victims. Fog machines billowed, strobe lights flashed like lightning, and a massive full moon projection loomed behind, casting spooky shadows that danced across the set. “It felt like we were in Salem,” one audience member recalled in a viral TikTok. “Kelly’s voice gave me actual chills—I was hypnotized!”

The crowd’s reaction was electric. As Clarkson hit the final note—a prolonged, spine-tingling wail—the studio exploded into a standing ovation. Fans in costumes waved glow sticks, some dressed as the Sandersons themselves, creating a sea of wigs and capes. Social media ignited immediately: #KellyHocusPocus trended worldwide, with tweets like “Kelly Clarkson just slayed Halloween—Winifred who?” and “That ‘I Put a Spell on You’ cover is HAUNTINGLY perfect!” Viewers at home flooded YouTube with clips, amassing millions of views in days. Critics raved too: Variety called it “a masterclass in holiday reinvention,” while Billboard praised Clarkson’s “seductive spin on a classic, blending soulful grit with theatrical flair.”

But the magic didn’t stop at the performance. The episode featured surprises that amplified the Halloween spirit: a guest appearance by Kate Flannery from The Office, who joined in on the fun, and an on-air marriage proposal that had the audience in tears. Clarkson, ever the relatable host, shared behind-the-scenes tidbits post-show: “The wig was itchy as heck, but worth it for the laughs. Hocus Pocus is timeless—it’s about sisters, magic, and a little mischief. Who doesn’t love that?”

This wasn’t Clarkson’s first foray into costume covers; her “Kellyoke” segment has seen her tackle everything from Dolly Parton to Ariana Grande. But the Hocus Pocus tribute struck a chord, tapping into millennial nostalgia for the film that bombed initially but became a cult phenomenon through home video and annual TV airings. Hocus Pocus itself has enjoyed a renaissance, with the 2022 sequel Hocus Pocus 2 streaming on Disney+ to massive success, introducing the Sandersons to a new generation.

Clarkson’s career trajectory makes her the perfect vessel for such tributes. From her American Idol win, where her rendition of “A Moment Like This” became an anthem, to hits like “Since U Been Gone” that defined 2000s pop-rock, she’s always blended powerhouse vocals with heartfelt authenticity. Her talk show, launched in 2019, has become a daytime staple for its mix of music, celebrity chats, and Clarkson’s down-to-earth charm. “Kelly’s voice is a force,” said music critic Ann Powers in a Rolling Stone profile. “She can turn a cover into something entirely her own, and that Hocus Pocus bit? Pure gold.”

The performance’s legacy endures. Every Halloween, clips resurface on social media, inspiring cosplay tutorials and cover challenges. Fans credit it with reigniting love for Hocus Pocus, boosting streams of the soundtrack by 150% in 2019. Clarkson herself revisited the theme in 2023, dressing as a witch for another episode, but nothing tops the 2019 original. “It was a love letter to my childhood,” she told Entertainment Tonight. “And seeing fans still talking about it? That’s the real magic.”

In a world where Halloween specials often feel forced, Clarkson’s Hocus Pocus tribute stands as a beacon of creativity and joy. It’s a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is a wig, a robe, and a killer voice to cast a spell that lasts forever. As Winifred might say: “Sistahs, we’ve put a spell on you—and now you’re ours!”