Just one minute into Kelly’s performance, Keith begins to break apart. After another 2 minutes, tears began to fall down his cheeks—and he wasn’t alone:

After another 2 minutes, tears began to fall down his cheeks—and he wasn’t alone:

Kelly Clarkson, the first American Idol winner, is noted for bringing a degree of intensity and a lot of passion to a track that few vocalists can equal. She carried that great skill to her 2016 performance of Piece by Piece to wrap up the 15th season of American Idol. Keith Urban couldn’t help but cry that night because her appearance on stage was so powerful.

Kelly made her appearance years ago as the champion of American Idol’s singing contest. She reappeared for what many assumed was the show’s final season (ABC resurrected the show in 2017) to take center stage and perform one of her own songs. She captivated the entire audience from the minute she went onto the platform, pregnant and all.

The crowd was electrified as they waited with bated breath to hear her famed voice.

Keith, who was the judge of the singing competition, couldn’t stop crying when Kelly delivered her heartfelt song. His look and complete enthrallment with her song conveyed the feelings he was experiencing. Kelly wrote her song, Piece by Piece, based on her own past experience.

She collaborated on the song with Greg Kurstin. It was evident that the song was incredibly personal and packed with real emotion for Kelly, rather than merely being based on her experiences.

Kelly sang something that surprised everyone. When singing the immensely poignant words, she felt flooded with emotion and pushed back tears.

She tried to continue with the song for a brief while, displaying great passion that is so seldom witnessed in on-stage performances by music stars like Kelly Clarkson.

Kelly is recognized not only for her great skill, but also for the extraordinary and near-immediate relationship she develops with audiences that hear her sing live. Her followers are moved by the intensity and emotion she brings to every performance.

When she had to halt because she was emotional during her performance, the crowd jumped to their feet to cheer her on.

She ended the song to a rousing ovation from the audience and a heartfelt thank you from Keith Urban and the other judges.

Isn’t it amazing to witness a performer or artist and know they’re doing precisely what they’re supposed to do? Have you ever been so affected by an artist’s performance that you cried? Send us your story on how a performance or a particular musician touched you and we’ll pass it on.