Kelly Clarkson recently addressed the harsh treatment she received from some of her peers following her American Idol victory, particularly noting how some of those critics later joined the TV talent show circuit, specifically as coaches on The Voice.
The “Breakaway” singer, now 42, discussed these experiences during an appearance on Kylie Kelce’s podcast, Not Gonna Lie. This conversation comes on the heels of Clarkson making a subtle dig at her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock.
Clarkson made history as the inaugural winner of American Idol in 2002, during a season judged by Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, and Randy Jackson.
“There were people who were quite harsh back then who later became coaches themselves,” Clarkson remarked to Kelce. “They initially despised talent shows, yet found themselves on The Voice.”
Clarkson herself joined The Voice as a judge in 2018 and remained on the panel until the conclusion of its 23rd season.
Reflecting on her journey, she added, “Initially, there was significant backlash. People were very dismissive of talent shows. The industry was taken by surprise by their popularity, which was not warmly received at first. Now, talent shows are everywhere.”
Kelly Clarkson, 42, called out ‘cruel’ peers who had initially judged her American Idol win and then eventually went on to work on the hit singing competition The Voice; seen in 2024 in Cleveland
‘People that were really mean have been coaches,’ Kelly expressed to Kelce. ‘[They] hated talent shows, and they ended up being on The Voice’; seen on American Idol in 2002
Clarkson added, ‘People like us who have been there in that audition process, and just being so judged instantaneously, on maybe not your best performance but you know you can do better. It’s a grueling thing.
‘It’s unforgiving in a lot of ways, and a lot of pressure for these artists that I don’t think a lot of artists that sell tons of records would be able to handle. It’s a different thing.’
While the award-winning performer briefly touched on the topic, Kelly did not reveal any names during the podcast episode.
Clarkson also reflected on being the first winner of American Idol over 20 years earlier and admitted, ‘I didn’t even know it was a TV show until my third audition. Nobody knew it was going to amount to anything.’
The show – which was created by Simon Fuller – aired on FOX network from 2002 through 2016 for a total of 15 seasons.
The series went on a brief hiatus but then returned as a revival under the same name which premiered on ABC in 2018.
Following her win on American Idol, Kelly went on to release her first single A Moment Like This – which topped numerous charts including the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
Her debut album Thankful was dropped in 2003 and contained hit singles such as Miss Independent. After its release, the LP also landed on various charts such as number one on U.S. Billboard 200.
The star also became a judge on the NBC singing competition back in 2018 until she left the series following the 23rd season
She continued, ‘People were really cruel at first. They didn’t like it. It took the industry kind of by storm, the talent shows. It was a very unlikable thing in the industry concerning the populous. Now there’s so many’
In total, Clarkson has dropped 10 studio albums thus far and has also garnered a number of accolades such as three Grammys and four American Music Awards.
During her interview with Kylie Kelce, the singer explained that she would have stayed on The Voice longer as a judge but she instead put her focus into raising her two children.
‘I wouldn’t have stopped doing the show had I not moved across the country and been a single mom of two,’ she stated.
She shares daughter River, 10, and son Remington, eight, with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock – whom she was married to from 2013 until their divorce was finalized in 2022.
However, she sued Blackstock after their divorce as she accused him of making unauthorized business deals on her behalf.
The former couple settled the lawsuit over commissions in May 2024.
At one point amid her conversation with Kelce, the performer seemingly made a cryptic jab at her ex and said, ‘there’s a lot that I keep in… ’cause co-parenting is fun!’
The pair had a discussion about their children being more understanding when it comes to the father working but holding different feelings when the mother goes to work.
Clarkson then reflected on being the first winner of American Idol over 20 years earlier and admitted, ‘I didn’t even know it was a TV show until my third audition. Nobody knew it was going to amount to anything; seen in 2002 with Brian Dunkleman and Ryan Seacrest
‘I wouldn’t have stopped doing the show had I not moved across the country and been a single mom of two,’ she stated
Clarkson said, ‘Isn’t it funny though how different it is? Even from a young age, we didn’t teach them, just innately you’re like… he’s allowed to be somewhere, but you’re not? That is like real interesting. Yeah, there’s a lot that I keep in.
‘Cause co-parenting is fun! It’s like, “Oh, he couldn’t come cause of this.” ‘I’m like, “Okay, cool. What! Do you think I just leave and just sit in the park all day?”‘
She added, ‘And my son, by the way, I’m always like, “Yeah, mommy does work and that’s okay.”
‘Women and men work. It’s okay. And you’re gonna be fine. I was a latchkey kid and no one was there!… We’re fine.’
While the singer co-parents with her ex, Clarkson has opened about about parenting and last year, revealed to People that she has banned her kids from using social media.
‘That can be really hard on kids in general, but especially kids with parents in the public eye. So I have informed them they’re not allowed to, under my roof, ever have [it].’
Kelly also told the outlet that she felt she was doing a ‘good job’ when it came to parenting and expressed, ‘I can be hard on myself as a mom, but I think I’m doing a good job.
‘I like that they’re independent, but I’m adamant about my schedule, making sure I’m there as much as I can be. There’s no perfect parent; I’m definitely screwing up my children somehow! But I’m doing my best.’
At one point amid her conversation with Kelce, the performer seemingly made a cryptic jab at her ex and said, ‘there’s a lot that I keep in… ’cause co-parenting is fun!’; Clarkson and Blackstock seen in 2013 in Las Vegas
Earlier this month, Clarkson returned to her award-winning daytime talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show following a mysterious 10-day absence due to a ‘private matter’
Earlier this month, Clarkson returned to her award-winning daytime talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show following a mysterious 10-day absence due to a ‘private matter.’
She also fueled worry with a cryptic comment she made as she returned to the series.
The Behind These Hazel Eyes singer got candid after she made her return, and in celebration her 1,000th milestone episode, she admitted she’s ‘lost, alone, a lot.’
While Kelly did not give an explanation from her absence on the show, she told the live audience during the special episode that she has experienced ‘a lot of ups and downs.’
