She kept the sweetness of Dolly's version, while including the power of Whitney's version, and all while making this performance distinctly Kelly. Just stunning.

This woman will go down in music history as a legend, and I'm glad to consider myself a fan. She beautifully merged both versions of the song while making it her own. This is how you sing a tribute song.

The very first American Idol and she’s still got it, still is relevant, and one of the most successful of the show.

How did she manage to honour the dolly and the Whitney versions whilst making it very much her own? What a masterpiece

This song has been sung so many times and so often with the intention of showing off vocals that sometimes the sentimental lyrics are overshadowed by the singer. Kelly's such a powerful vocalist but always makes sure she's telling the story and I love her for it.

She made this iconic song her own. Combining Dolly's gentle love letter with Whitney's power.... exceptional

I like how she perfectly straddles the line between Dolly’s and Whitney’s versions of this song. Kelly is a phenomenal vocalist!

Kelly and Pink are the 2 most under-rated singers of their generation...... they so deserve more kudos than they get...... amazing.....

Kelly Clarkson has officially elevated herself to one of the greatest female vocalists in American music history.

Once again this proves that she is truly one of the greatest vocalists of all time and the MOST VERSATILE.

I just came from the video of Kelly interviewing Dolly, and she said she did it amazing and Whitney would be proud as well ❤️

Kelly's version of I Will Always Love You will forever be iconic ⭐

Can we acknowledge the fact that Kelly Clarkson was singing this song with no band at all, just a guittar, a piano and her raw voice! A song that requires so much vocal power and she did with such maestry and finesse. Every time i think, she can´t get better and then she just take to a whole other level. Kelly, YOU ARE A GODDESS.

I think singers like Kelly, Jasmine Sullivan, Adele , Yebba and Jessie J can bring back the 90’s pop ballad era

This is the definition of " Less is more!", people! Been following her for more than 15 years and still, she never ceases to amaze me.

A vocal genius. Kelly is a true vocalist. She made this song hers with some elements to pay tribute to Dolly AND Whitney simultaneously. All the while connecting with her audience. She's amazing.

Kelly did Dolly and Whitney proud! So beautiful! ❤

This was a perfect tribute. Kelly has the rare required combination of the pipes, the control, and the humility needed to pay tribute to both Dolly and Whitney, two of the greatest the world has ever and will ever see. She didn't try to outdo Whitney in vocal acrobatics (I liked her understated, lower "please" before "don't you cry" - it was a perfect moment to leave space for us to hear Whitney's almost whistle note "please" in our memories) but she paid her respect by nailing a couple of Whitney's key vocal choices and making other parts almost conversational sing-song the way Dolly's version does. So many artists take an opportunity like this to make it about themselves, and Kelly always steps up to the moment with humility and grace. Love her.

Of course she nailed it. She's Kelly Clarkson, story teller, singer and good human being.

A little Dolly, a little Whitney and Kelly’s soul … perfection!