Sherri Shepherd Bests Kelly Clarkson for Daytime Emmy Host Honor as Black Talent Shines

Sherri Shepherd captured outstanding daytime talk series host for her syndicated talk show Sherri at the 2026 Daytime Emmys, prevailing over Kelly Clarkson and a competitive field of nominees, according to reporting by Billboard. The ceremony, held Friday, Oct. 30, at the Hollywood Palladium for the first time, delivered milestone victories for several prominent Black television personalities.

While Clarkson lost the daytime host prize to Shepherd, The Kelly Clarkson Show secured the award for outstanding daytime talk series, Billboard reported. Clarkson, who was absent from the Los Angeles gala, has now earned nine Daytime Emmys across seven years, winning five in the talk series category and four for daytime hosting. The syndicated broadcast also captured three creative awards, winning for daytime studio non-fiction directing, live daytime program sound mixing and editing, and scenic design and art direction.

Outside public controversies had zero influence on the voting results, according to Billboard. A much-discussed autumn incident involving Clarkson at a Brooklyn curiosity shop, commonly referred to as Birdgate, occurred months after Daytime Emmy balloting had already concluded. Voting operates through a single-round system that selects both nominations and ultimate winners, and that official window closed on June 10, four months before the shop encounter.

Beyond the talk show categories, Black creatives achieved several historic milestones throughout the evening. Tracee Ellis Ross earned her first career Emmy Award, winning outstanding travel and adventure program for Solo Traveling With Tracee Ellis Ross, according to Billboard. The triumph comes after Ross earned six past Primetime Emmy nominations for her role on ABC's black-ish. Billboard noted that Ross's mother, legendary singer Diana Ross, has yet to receive an Emmy.

Media veteran Star Jones won her first Daytime Emmy Award in a television career that spans 35 years. Jones took home outstanding daytime personality — daily for Divorce Court alongside Corey Jovan. In her acceptance remarks reported by Billboard, Jones thanked two late mentors, crediting attorney Johnnie Cochran with teaching her about justice and broadcast legend Barbara Walters with teaching her to ask tough questions.

Entertainment powerhouse Keke Palmer also collected her first Daytime Emmy, winning outstanding daytime short form program as producer of Glam Through the Ages, Billboard reported. Palmer previously earned two Primetime Emmy Awards for Password and Keke Palmer’s Turnt Up With the Taylors.

Esteemed music director Ray Chew captured outstanding music direction and composition for a daytime program for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, according to Billboard. Chew was unable to accept in person due to his duties on Dancing With the Stars, leading his wife to accept the award. In drama categories, General Hospital took outstanding daytime drama series for a record-extending sixth straight year and 19th time overall, while veteran star Genie Francis received a lifetime achievement award.