Kelly Clarkson seemed like an unusual choice at first to host the 2018 Billboard Music Awards.
She"s a singer, after all, not a comedian or even an especially notable performer.
Only a few minutes into her monologue, however, it quickly became clear on Sunday night that Clarkson was the right woman for the job.
Not because Clarkson told jokes and not even because she sang an impressive medley of hits, even though she later did exactly this.
But because the original American Idol is a Texas native and was therefore the ideal celebrity to stand up and talk about last week"s tragic school shooting in Santa Fe.
"I’m a Texas girl and my home state has had so much heartbreak over this past year.
"Once again, y’all, we’re grieving more kids that have died for absolutely no reason at all,” Clarkson said as the MGM Grand venue was lit black at the start of this awards ceremony.
On Friday, 10 people were shot and killed at a high school in Texas, while 13 others were wounded.
“Tonight they wanted me to say that obviously, we want to pray for all the victims and families," Clarkson continued.
"They also wanted me to do a moment of silence and I’m so sick of moments of silence. It’s not working, obviously.”
Instead, therefore, Clarkson chose to be loud when it comes to this topic, not quiet.
"Why don’t we stop moments of silence and do a moment of action? Why don’t we do a moment of change? Change what’s happening, because it’s horrible.
"Mommas and daddies should be able to send their kids to school, to church, to movie theaters, to clubs. You should be able to live your life without that fear."
Clarkson is a mother of four young kids, two to whom she gave birth and two she took under her care upon marrying Brandon Blackstock.
She went on:
"We are failing our children, we’re failing our communities. We’re failing their families. I have four children.
"I can’t imagine getting that phone call or knock on the door. So instead of a moment of silence, I want to respect them and honor them with tonight y’all in your community, where you live, your friends, everybody.
"Let’s have a moment of action, let’s have a moment of change."
Clarkson"s speech will no doube engender controversy.
Plenty of viewers out there were probably standing and applauding, while others were probably wishing a music awards ceremony would stick to handing out music awards.
Prior to moving on and joking about how she isn"t qualified to host anything, Clarkson concluded:
"I hate talking about it but you have to talk about it or no change is going to happen."
Amen, right?
Watch the opening remarks below:
