Kelly Clarkson was brought to tears by This is Us star Sterling K. Brown, after he revealed the origin of his first name and why he didn’t use it until he was 16.

Sterling, 49, explained during his appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show his birth name was both his grandfather’s and his father’s.

‘My dad’s name is Sterling Brown Jr, my grandfather is Sterling Brown Sr., I’m Sterling Kelby Brown,’ he said.

He went by his middle name Kelby – up until he was 16 years old – which is when he decided he wanted to revert back to his first name Sterling.

‘Because he pᴀssed away when I was 10, by the time I turned 16 and I hadn’t heard his name for 5, 51/2 years and I was like, I kinda just want to hear that name again. So I asked people to call me Sterling,’ he said, which led Kelly to get emotional. 

Kelly’s interview with Sterling comes amid her return to her daytime talk show after a mysterious absence due to a ‘private matter.’ 

This is Us star Sterling K. Brown revealed the origin of his first name and why he didn’t use it until he was 16

Sterling, 49, explained during his appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show his birth name was both his grandfather’s and his father’s, which led

She sparked concern with a cryptic comment she made as she reappeared on the show mid March, which happened to be the 1,000th episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show.

The 42-year-old singer got candid after she made her return, and in celebration her milestone episode, she admitted she’s ‘lost, alone, a lot.’

Read More Kelly Clarkson makes cryptic jab at ex Brandon Blackstock after mystery show absence

During the taping, the Grammy-winning singer reflected on her journey since she debuted her show in September 2019 on NBC.

She did not address her recent absence but vaguely spoke about having gone through ‘a lot of ups and downs’ in the past during a heartfelt speech.

‘Welcome to the Kelly Clarkson Show and our 1,000th episode,’ she said. ‘I can’t believe today marks the 1,000th. It’s crazy.’

She continued: ‘We have met some hugely talented people, tons of big stars and inspiring everyday heroes.’

She gushed about how she, her team and her fans have ‘created a community and supported each other through a lot of ups and downs.’

On why Sterling decided to use his middle name, Sterling said he ‘wanted my own name and it felt like Sterling was an old man’s name.’ 

Kelly teared up upon learning his reason to revert back to his first name.

 ‘My dad’s name is Sterling Brown Jr, my grandfather is Sterling Brown Sr., I’m Sterling Kelby Brown,’ he said

‘That was so sweet and beautiful.’

During the conversation, Kelly also revealed that her son Remington, eight, decided to use his middle name as his last name.

Kelly explained: ‘My son did this at a red carpet. He said, “Remington Alexander.” He chose his middle name as his last name. 

‘He changed his name right in front of me. I said, is this your stage name?’ 

Kelly shares two children with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, whom she shares an icy relationship with.

Kelly and Brandon are parents to son Remington Alexander and daughter River Rose, 10.

The former couple’s divorce was finalized in 2022, however they dealt with a contentious legal battle stemming from their prior business relationship. 

Kelly and Brandon are parents to son Remington Alexander and daughter River Rose, 10 

The former couple’s divorce was finalized in 2022, however they dealt with a contentious legal battle stemming from their prior business relationship; pictured January 12, 2020

She and her ex-husband were married for nearly seven years before calling it quits in June 2020.

She sued Blackstock last year after accusing him of making unauthorized business deals on her behalf.

They settled their lawsuits over commissions in May 2024, ending a contentious legal battle that began after their divorce was finalized two years earlier.

In addition to the dissolution of her marriage and their legal disputes, she also embarked on a major weight loss journey in the past couple of years.