Maya Rudolph and Kelly Clarkson Serve Up the Joy (and Struggle) of Brunching Like a Boss
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
In a world where brunch has become both a status symbol and a meme, Maya Rudolph and Kelly Clarkson turned a casual daytime chat into a masterclass on humor, honesty, and the elusive art of having time for yourself. During a lively segment on The Kelly Clarkson Show, the two stars unpacked the cultural comedy of wanting to be “ladies who brunch” — but never quite having the time to pull it off.
☕ “Power Mimosas” and the Dream of Leisure
The conversation began as Rudolph, fresh from her Emmy-winning role as billionaire Molly Wells in Apple TV+’s Loot, shared her tongue-in-cheek admiration for the lifestyle she portrays on screen. “Playing a billionaire is a dream,” she joked. “You can do anything.”
Clarkson, quick with her trademark wit, nodded in agreement. “Being one would be fun, too,” she laughed, sparking cheers from the audience. Together, the two imagined what life might be like if they could swap real-world hustle for high-society leisure — complete with designer brunches and bottomless mimosas.
Rudolph painted a vivid picture of indulgence: “You can pretend you’re a billionaire and wear outfits — capes to lunch and things like that.” Clarkson didn’t miss a beat. “A cape to lunch? I wanna be that woman,” she declared. “You know, the one who shows up with her kids to brunch — in a cape.”
🥞 The Modern Struggle: Wanting to Brunch, Never Having Time
Amid the laughter, the exchange struck a surprisingly relatable chord. Both women admitted that their busy lives — filled with filming, music, and parenting — rarely leave room for leisurely meals.
“When was the last time you went to brunch?” Rudolph asked.
“I don’t get to brunch,” Clarkson replied, smiling wryly at her audience. “That’s my joke. I wanna be the girl that gets to brunch — the woman.”
The crowd erupted, sensing the truth behind the humor. For many working women, brunch — once a symbol of freedom and friendship — has become a wistful fantasy. “There’s no brunch anymore,” Rudolph sighed, prompting Clarkson to recount the chaos of “grabbing food between gigs” and wondering how others manage to live so unhurriedly.
“You look at them and go, ‘What do you do for a living?’” she quipped. “Nothing. Because they brunch.”
The audience roared. Beneath the comedy, the segment captured something deeply universal: the tension between ambition and rest, and the yearning for a moment to breathe.
🥂 From Capes to Camaraderie
What started as a tongue-in-cheek commentary on brunch culture evolved into something bigger — a snapshot of female friendship in all its authenticity. Rudolph, known for her effortless comedic timing, and Clarkson, celebrated for her warmth and candor, found common ground in their shared exhaustion and humor about it.
In Loot, Rudolph’s character embodies the fantasy of freedom — a woman rediscovering herself through philanthropy, fashion, and joy after heartbreak. Clarkson, meanwhile, continues to juggle her multiple roles as talk show host, singer, and mom. Both women know firsthand that life often demands more energy than any mimosa can fix.
Their on-screen laughter reflected off-screen truth: the power of finding solidarity in humor and self-deprecation.
🎤 A Spirited Finale
Just as the segment was winding down, an audience member named Natasha shouted out a fan-favorite request — a reprise of Rudolph’s legendary Saturday Night Live parody of the national anthem. The crowd cheered as Rudolph burst into laughter. “Oh my God!” she exclaimed before gamely channeling her operatic alter ego, bringing the studio to its feet.
👑 Queens of Real-Life Brunch
By the end of the segment, brunch wasn’t just about eggs Benedict or champagne flutes — it became a metaphor for self-worth and joy in a world that rarely slows down.
Maya Rudolph and Kelly Clarkson may not have time for lavish brunches or golden capes, but their conversation was a reminder that real luxury lies in laughter, friendship, and carving out small moments to savor life — even between deadlines.
They don’t need to brunch like bosses.
They already are.
