Kelly Clarkson walked onto the stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday night for her first awards show hosting gig. But, unlike most awards shows, the Billboard Music Awards weren’t kicked off with an over-the-top musical performance. Instead, Clarkson chose to honor the victims of the recent Santa Fe High School shooting in her home state of Texas.
An emotional Clarkson stood alone on stage and stated that “they” wanted her to open the show with a moment of silence, but she chose to plead for a “moment of action.”
“There is something I’d like to say about the tragedy Friday at Santa Fe High School,” Clarkson started, immediately fighting back tears. “I’m a Texas girl and my home state has had so much heartbreak over this last year. And once again y’all, and once again we’re grieving for more kids who have died for absolutely no reason at all.”
Clarkson continued by saying that the BBMAs wanted her to do a moment of silence, but she had other plans.
“I’m so sick of moment of silence. It’s not working, obviously. So, why don’t we not do a moment of silence. Why don’t we do moment of action? Why don’t we do moment of change? Why don’t we change what’s happening?” Clarkson continued, “Mommas and daddies should be able to send their kids to school, church, movie theaters, to clubs…you should be able to live your life without that kind of fear.”
Hear Kelly Clarkson’s emotional plea in full in the video below. Let us know if you agree with her by sharing or commenting below.
Our hearts go out to all the victims in the Santa Fe community and their families. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7ejLAd8nKk
— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) May 21, 2018