Kelly Clarkson recently voiced her frustrations with American school systems in a forthright conversation with Kylie Kelce. The singer and television host didn’t hold back during her appearance on Kelce’s “Not Gonna Lie” podcast.
A preview of their discussion, released online on Wednesday, hinted at the level of honesty Clarkson brought to the table. At 42, the former American Idol star expressed her annoyance with a particular aspect of her children’s school schedule.
Clarkson questioned the logic behind scheduling school performances at inconvenient times, saying, “I’m not gonna lie… I don’t know when the school systems thought it would be a good plan for families and their emotional stability to start having performances at 10 a.m. during the week.”
She pointed out the challenge this poses for working parents, lamenting how schools often provide little notice, preventing parents from arranging time off. “This just in — a lot of us work,” Clarkson emphasized, adding that the lack of advance notice can make it difficult to coordinate with employers.
Clarkson further explained that even those in managerial roles, with more control over their schedules, face difficulties. She noted, “Our kids don’t understand, and we just look like a*****es when we’re not there,” highlighting the emotional impact on families when parents miss these important events.
She continued: ‘A lot of jobs wouldn’t let you do that anyway, but even if you’re like the boss and you would have that control our kids don’t understand, and we just look like a*****es when we’re not there.’
The hitmaker jokingly added: ‘And, then they go, “Why was this mom there?” And, then you have to say, “Because that kid’s got a better mom.”‘
Clarkson shares daughter River Rose, 10, and son Remington ‘Remy’ Alexander, eight, with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock.
Kelly Clarkson has opened up about the thing she can’t stand the most about American schools during a candid discussion with Kylie Kelce
The daytime talk show host kept it real as ever during her appearance on Kelce’s Not Gonna Lie podcast
Kelce is mother to three daughters, Bennett, Elliotte and Wyatt, and expecting her fourth child with husband Jason Kelce.
Clarkson recently became emotional over her two children during the 1,000th episode celebration of The Kelly Clarkson Show last week.
The Breakaway songstress — who returned to her daytime talk show after a mysterious absence due to a ‘private matter’ — was treated to a special montage of her kids on the series from over the years.
Before the adorable reel played for both Clarkson and the live audience, the star revealed that she hadn’t seen the montage yet and joked ‘you’re crying, I’m not.’
The clip showcased moments of River and Remington joining their mother on the set of the talk show as well as the little ones mingling with celebrity guests.
It concluded with Kelly sharing a loving embrace with her children and she then expressed to the crowd, ‘That was really sweet.’
While looking visibly emotional, Clarkson lifted her hands to her face to wipe away a few tears from under her eyes while saying, ‘Oh, that was really sweet. And look, I kept it together you guys.’
The beauty also shared a moving message to her kids and stated, ‘River and Remy, I love you so much. I’m so proud of you both.
Clarkson shares daughter River Rose, 10, and son Remington ‘Remy’ Alexander, eight, with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock
‘They’re just fearless and very bold. They’re more like me as an adult, not what I was like as a child, so they talk a lot too.’
The performer added, ‘You are what I’m liking today, my little ones, and every day I love them so much.’
Earlier this year in January, both River and Remington made guest appearances on her talk show — which first began airing back in 2019.
The trio discussed Remington’s performance of Frank Sinatra’s hit song My Way – and how it had gone viral after garnering over a million views.
The star and her children’s father were married for nearly seven years before calling it quits in June 2020.
She sued Blackstock last year after accusing him of making unauthorized business deals on her behalf.
They settled their lawsuits over commissions in May 2024, ending a contentious legal battle that began after their divorce was finalized two years earlier.
In addition to the dissolution of her marriage and their legal disputes, she also embarked on a major weight loss journey in the past couple of years.
Elsewhere, Kelce has been enjoying great success with her new podcast since its launch in November.
The most recent episode saw her speaking with former White Lady Michelle Obama, while she has also had chats with the likes of actress Kate Hudson and comedian Chelsea Handler.
