If there was ever a wedding where the afterparty turned into a full-blown concert, it sounds like Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert’s 2011 nuptials might take the crown—thanks to Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson.
During a recent appearance on the “Las Culturistas” podcast, Brandi Carlile shared a behind-the-scenes story that paints a pretty unforgettable picture of the celebration.
Carlisle Dished on the Fun Night
Carlile, who performed her song “The Story” as Lambert walked down the aisle, said the real magic happened after the ceremony wrapped.
Once the formalities were over, guests leaned into a more relaxed, party atmosphere—complete with drinks, music, and plenty of karaoke.
That’s when Clarkson and McEntire took things to another level.
“Everybody was getting drunk and singing karaoke, and Kelly Clarkson was there and Reba McEntire was there. And they started singing together and then they just like, didn’t get off stage,” Carlile recalled. “Like, the party was over and we had to take these shuttle buses back to the hotel, and I remember the whole shuttle bus was waiting for Reba McEntire.”
According to Carlile, even as guests were ready to call it a night, the two singers were still going strong.
McEntire and Clarkson Sang All Night
From the bus, she could hear McEntire belting out her hit “Fancy” while Clarkson harmonized alongside her.
“I was like, ‘These bitches are everything everybody hopes they are and no one knows.’ But now you know,” Carlile said. “They’re so rad.”
The story highlights not only their vocal chemistry but also the genuine bond between Clarkson and McEntire—a relationship that would later become even more personal.
The two have also both been coaches on multiple seasons of “The Voice.”
Clarkson eventually married McEntire’s former stepson, Brandon Blackstock, in 2013, connecting the two singers as family for a time.
Though Clarkson and Blackstock later split, she and McEntire have remained close.
In fact, Clarkson has long spoken about her admiration for McEntire.
During the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors, she performed “Fancy” in tribute to the country icon and reflected on what their relationship means to her.
“I’ve been a fan of Reba since I was a little girl. Her voice has always felt nostalgic for me. Even as an adult, there’s something about her tone and her storytelling that just feels like home,” Clarkson said. “Sometimes when we meet our heroes, it doesn’t always pan out how you hope. But meeting Reba — being friends with her, and eventually becoming family — has been one of the highlights of my life, truly.”
Carlile also took a moment on the podcast to praise Clarkson’s voice, describing her talent in awe-struck terms.
“She doesn’t actually have a head voice. Like it goes all the way to the top, where her head voice would be, and there’s no break in it,” she said. “It’s incredible what she can do and how she can control it. She’s steady too.”
Even years later, the wedding memory stands out—not just as a celebration of love, but as a night where two powerhouse voices turned a reception into an unforgettable jam session.
