Singer-songwriter legend Carole King and American Idol superstar Kelly Clarkson sang an epic duet at the 2019 Global Citizen Festival in New York City on Saturday night.
“Her gift has transcended decades, styles, fads, and fashions,” Clarkson said while introducing King on stage. “And the message behind her music resonates today more than ever.”
The two performed King’s hit “Where You Lead,” which she originally wrote in 1970 for her popular album Tapestry –– a “personal fave” of Clarkson’s. King later rewrote the song in 2000 to reflect a mother-daughter relationship, rather than a romantic one, for the popular television show Gilmore Girls.
King, who hasn’t performed in Central Park since 1973, usually performs the catchy song with her daughter Louise Goffin, but tonight it symbolized female friendship and the power of intergenerational collaboration.
“I wrote this song 11 years before my special guest was born, I really love this girl I love her spirit and her voice,” King said before bringing Clarkson on to sing with her.
Clarkson and King are both advocates for gender equality and have helped pave the way for women musicians. King started her career writing with her husband in the ‘60s, but later branched out and achieved a successful career independently.
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Clarkson, meanwhile, is credited with demonstrating the potential of talent shows after becoming the winner of the first American Idol in 2002.
And the pair are also dedicated to various humanitarian causes too.
“Beyond her monumental contributions to the music world, she has become known as a tireless advocate for protecting the Northern Rockies Ecosystem,” Clarkson said, while first introducing King to the stage.
Clarkson has also used her voice to advocate for the health of mothers and their children, in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and to support animal rights.
After Saturday night, if Clarkson needs King, she’ll definitely "be there".
The 2019 Global Citizen Festival in New York will be presented by Citi and Cisco and in association with our Production Partner, Live Nation. MSNBC, Comcast NBCUniversal, and iHeart will serve as Presenting Media Partners and will air a live simulcast of the Festival on MSNBC and on iHeart Radio Stations. The Festival will also be livestreamed on YouTube and Twitter, presented by Johnson & Johnson.
Proud partners of the 2019 Global Citizen Festival include Global Citizen’s global health partner and major partner Johnson & Johnson, and major partners P&G, Verizon, and NYC Parks.