Kelly Clarkson Transforms Into “Hocus Pocus” Villain Winifred Sanderson For Spellbinding Halloween Performance Of “I Put A Spell On You”

Kelly Clarkson didn’t just celebrate Halloween in 2019 — she brought one of the season’s most beloved movie witches back to life. Dressed in full Sanderson Sisters fashion, the singer delivered a soulful performance of “I Put A Spell On You” that turned The Kelly Clarkson Show studio into a scene straight out of Hocus Pocus.

With towering red hair, a dramatic velvet cloak and two backup singers dressed as her fellow witches, Clarkson went all in on the Halloween magic.

Kelly Clarkson Goes Full Winifred Sanderson

For the 2019 Halloween episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, Clarkson embraced her inner Winifred Sanderson, the unforgettable character played by Bette Midler in Disney’s Hocus Pocus.

The transformation was hard to miss. Clarkson stepped into the role with enormous red hair and a flowing velvet cloak, while her two backup singers completed the trio as Sarah and Mary Sanderson, originally portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy.

But the costumes were only part of the spectacle.

As Clarkson launched into “I Put A Spell On You,” costumed dancers and performers filled the studio around her. Moving through the set alongside her fellow Sanderson Sisters, she turned a daytime television performance into a full-blown Halloween production.

Her soulful take on the song gave the classic a fresh spin while paying tribute to one of the most recognizable musical moments in Hocus Pocus.

The Disney Film That Became A Halloween Tradition

Released by Walt Disney Pictures on July 16, 1993, Hocus Pocus originally arrived in theaters during the summer, when children were out of school.

Its opening weekend was far from spectacular. The film grossed $8.1 million and finished fourth at the box office, behind Jurassic Park, In the Line of Fire and The Firm.

Yet its legacy would grow considerably beyond that initial theatrical run.

Over the years, Hocus Pocus developed a devoted following, becoming a cult classic that audiences return to every Halloween. Its appeal rests in no small part on the mischievous chemistry of its three leading witches.

Bette Midler stars as Winifred Sanderson, Sarah Jessica Parker plays Sarah, and Kathy Najimy portrays Mary — the trio whose supernatural antics have helped make the film a seasonal favorite for generations of viewers.

The movie’s enduring popularity has also inspired anniversary specials and reunions, further cementing its place in Halloween culture.

The Song That Made The Performance So Memorable

At the heart of Clarkson’s Halloween spectacle was “I Put A Spell On You,” the song famously associated with Jay Hawkins, who released the original hit in 1956.

In Hocus Pocus, Midler’s Winifred delivers her own version of the song, using it to enchant a crowd of adults under her spell.

The number has since become a Halloween favorite, regularly finding its way onto party playlists and seasonal celebrations.

Clarkson’s performance tapped directly into that legacy. Backed by her two fellow Sanderson Sisters, she brought her own soulful interpretation to the song while the surrounding cast of costumed performers added movement, theatrical flair and a distinctly spooky atmosphere.

It was a performance that combined Clarkson’s vocal style with the playful nostalgia of a beloved Halloween film — and showed just how far she was willing to go to embrace the holiday.

Watch Kelly Clarkson’s “I Put A Spell On You” Performance

Clarkson’s Sanderson Sisters transformation remains a memorable example of her commitment to Halloween-themed entertainment. Rather than simply putting on a costume, she built an entire performance around the character, the music and the movie’s unmistakable atmosphere.

Watch Kelly Clarkson perform “I Put A Spell On You” in full Hocus Pocus style and share your thoughts in the comments.