Kelly Clarkson turned “Silent Night” into a breathtaking vocal showcase alongside country legends Trisha Yearwood and Reba McEntire. The performance unfolded gracefully, with Clarkson opening the song on her own before handing the second verse to Yearwood, who was supported by Clarkson’s gentle harmonies. McEntire then stepped in for the third verse, completing the trio as the other two singers wrapped her voice in warm, layered backing vocals.
Each artist was in peak form, but the defining moment arrived in the fourth verse when all three voices came together without any instrumental support. The a cappella section felt deeply intimate and gospel-inspired, highlighting not just their technical precision but the emotional depth behind every note. The performance aired during Kelly Clarkson’s Cautionary Christmas Music Tale, an NBC holiday special, and has since become one of the most-watched Christmas performances on Clarkson’s channel, amassing around 45 million views.
Singing a cappella as a trio leaves no room for error, and Clarkson, Yearwood, and McEntire rose to the challenge effortlessly. Their voices blended with remarkable balance and power, creating a dynamic arrangement that felt both reverent and uplifting. It’s rare to see this level of vocal mastery and star power shared so seamlessly on one stage.
Viewers quickly flooded the comments with praise, calling it their favorite rendition of the classic and describing the harmonies as “unbelievably beautiful.” Others admitted the performance moved them to tears, struck by how pure and heartfelt the song felt in this stripped-back form. While “Silent Night” ranks as Clarkson’s second most popular Christmas video, her festive anthem “Underneath the Tree” still holds the top spot on her channel.
This rendition of “Silent Night” originates from Wrapped in Red, Clarkson’s sixth studio album and her first full Christmas release. The live performance for the NBC special was filmed at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. The event itself featured an impressive lineup of guest appearances, including Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, William Shatner, Blake Shelton, Heidi Klum, Jay Leno, and Danica Patrick.
Throughout the special, Clarkson performed beloved holiday standards such as “Run Run Rudolph,” “Please Come Home for Christmas,” and “White Christmas,” alongside original material. Wrapped in Red proved to be a major success, peaking at number three on the Billboard 200 and earning Platinum certification. The album marked a conscious shift away from the pop-rock sound that had defined much of Clarkson’s earlier career, allowing her to fully embrace classic, soulful, and holiday-inspired styles.