Pink’s Daughter Willow Sage Hart Steals the Spotlight on ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’
Pink and her 14-year-old daughter Willow Sage Hart performed “Hopeless War” from The Outsiders musical on the The Kelly Clarkson Show on March 2, and the reaction from the Broadway community was immediate.
Cast members, the show’s official account and celebrities across genres flooded social media with praise for the mother-daughter duet — and for the choice to spotlight a current Broadway number on a prime daytime television slot.
Pink is serving as guest host of the show for the entire week starting March 2.
The March 2 episode featured interviews with Glee alum Darren Criss and Broadway star Shoshana Bean, and it built to the duet that has had theater fans talking since.
A Broadway Song on a Daytime Stage
The performance took place during “Cameo-oke,” a spin-off of the show’s popular “Kellyoke” segment.
In the standard version, host Kelly Clarkson covers songs from various artists, ranging from pop hits to rock classics. “Cameo-oke” puts celebrity guests in the performance spotlight, allowing them to perform a cover song in the studio without Clarkson present.
Pink and Willow chose a number from a current Broadway production rather than a pop standard or classic rock cover. That decision placed The Outsiders directly in front of a massive daytime television audience.
The reaction from within the theater world came fast. Fans and celebrities shared their amazement in a video shared by the show on Instagram.
Emma Pittman, who stars as Cherry Valance in The Outsiders on Broadway, commented directly on the post: “Hey so this is iconic ?? always in awe of [Pink’s] vocals, but more recently obsessed with her heart. GOO WILLOW GO!!!!”
The official Instagram account for The Outsiders play also commented: “Amazing!” alongside four yellow heart emojis. Bean, who appeared on the same episode as an interview guest, weighed in too: “That’s my girl,” Bean wrote.
Mother vs. Daughter in Broadway Trivia
Bean’s presence on the episode extended beyond the interview couch. Willow and Pink took part in a Broadway trivia game called “I Have to Know If You Know This Show!”
The segment pitted mother against daughter. Bean and Willow matched up against Criss and Pink. They answered questions about shows like Grease, Wicked and Hadestown. Willow and Bean won.
The pairing was notable: a 14-year-old with stated Broadway ambitions teaming up with a recognized Broadway star, going head-to-head with Darren Criss — himself a performer with deep roots in musical theater through Glee and stage work — and holding her own well enough to claim victory.
For anyone tracking Willow’s trajectory, the most telling detail may be her own stated career ambitions.
“She’s got a voice, man. She’s a little bird,” Pink told People in 2024. “She wants to do Broadway and then be a trauma surgeon.”
For Willow, this performance as someone actively immersing herself in the world she wants to inhabit professionally.
Celebrities Praise Pink and Willow
Beyond the Broadway-specific voices, the broader celebrity response reflected the impact of the duet.
“Like mother like daughter,” wrote Rita Ora.
“I’m speechless,” added Carnie Wilson, co-founder of the pop group Wilson Phillips.
Sheryl Crow’s reaction went further: “Good. Heavens. To. Mergatroyd!! This was astoundingly incredibly gorgeous!!! I feel a mama pride and she is not even mine! Pink, yall are amazing!!”
A Broadway song held its own on a mainstream daytime stage, and the audience responded with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for pop anthems.
A Budding Career That’s Just Getting Started
The mother-daughter duo have performed together before. They released a song, “Cover Me In Sunshine,” in 2021 and performed it while suspended in the air at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards.
Willow has also performed at her mom’s “Trustfall” tour in 2023, the Democratic National Convention and her mom’s “Summer Carnival” tour in 2024 and Hugh Jackman’s concert at Radio Music City Hall in 2025.
That resume — particularly performing alongside Jackman — connects pop performance with a theatrical sensibility.
Each appearance has built Willow’s visible comfort on stage, and the “Hopeless War” duet showcased a performer who appeared ready to meet Broadway material on its own terms.
Pink shares Willow with husband Carey Hart, whom she has been married to since 2006, according to People. The couple also shares a 9-year-old son, Jameson Moon Hart.
Production of this article included the use of AI. It was reviewed and edited by a team of content specialists.
