Kelly Clarkson Recalls Carrying Her Mum on Her Shoulders to Climb the Great Wall of China
Written by WorldOneFm on October 17, 2026
Kelly Clarkson has shared the hilarious story of how she carried her mother, Jeanne Taylor, on her shoulders to help her reach the Great Wall of China during a family trip to Beijing.
During a recent appearance on the Las Culturistas podcast with hosts Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, the singer opened up about the memorable adventure, explaining that her mum was recovering from knee surgery and needed a cane to navigate the site’s steep steps.
Determined to make the most of their visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kelly refused to let the challenging climb stop them from reaching the top.
“I was like, ‘We did not come all the way to Beijing, to the Great Wall, for you to just look at (the steps),’” the “Since U Been Gone” hitmaker recalled. “I was like, ‘We’re going to get up there.’”
The 44-year-old explained that she ended up carrying her mother on her shoulders, physically helping her up the stairs as other visitors watched the unusual scene unfold.
“My mom was on my shoulders. I was literally underneath of her, just pushing her up the stairs ’cause like you have to get on the Wall… So, we got her up there,” she shared.
Kelly jokingly imagined what the locals might have thought of their determination, adding, “But I think (locals) were like, ‘Crazy Americans,’… it was hilarious.”
Despite the physical challenge, the singer said she thoroughly enjoyed the experience and was particularly impressed by the kindness and respect shown by the people around them.
“With the moms or grandmas or whatever, everybody is like everybody is so polite and everybody is so helpful,” she said, praising the strong sense of respect for older people she witnessed during the trip.
“I loved that,” Kelly added.
Elsewhere in the conversation, the singer revealed another side of her adventurous personality, admitting that she loves riding roller coasters — although one particular attraction has left her questioning that passion.
Kelly recalled riding Thunderhead, a wooden roller coaster at Dollywood amusement park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, with her sister.
Reflecting on the experience, she joked, “My sister and I rode together and I thought, ‘Well, at least I’m going to die with her.’”
From tackling the Great Wall of China with her mum to braving terrifying roller coasters with her sister, Kelly’s stories highlight her adventurous spirit and her willingness to turn even the most challenging experiences into unforgettable family memories.
