Kelly Clarkson spills on co-parenting, early shaming from ‘Idol’

Kelly Clarkson labeled early doubters of her post-“American Idol” career as “cruel.”

The singer-songwriter opened up to Kylie Kelce Thursday on her podcast, “Not Gonna Lie,” saying those who criticized her later became colleagues on NBC’s rival “The Voice”: “People that were really mean have been coaches.”

Kelce asked Clarkson about her experience as a host on “The Voice.”  “I don’t think a lot of artists that sell tons of records would be able to handle (American Idol),” she said.

“It was hard. I had no one,” said Clarkson. She described playing shows in far-flung corners of the country after winning the first “Idol” season in 2002, clarifying that she didn’t immediately get the multi-million dollar record deal many viewers were promised.

Clarkson said talent shows like “American Idol,” were “a very unlikable thing in the industry” at her start.

“Now it’s hilarious… how far we’ve come,” said Clarkson as she and Kelce reflected on the perception switch toward reality talent shows.

As a coach, she could tell auditioners that she was “the light at the end of the tunnel.” She was evidence that the “grueling” process could turn into success.

Clarkson also got real about the challenges of parenthood, revealing that she’s open with her kids about her “human moments” if she raises her voice or lashes out.

Clarkson, 42, shares two children, River Rose, 10, and Remington “Remy” Alexander, 8, with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock.

“Why do schools have things in the middle of the … day?” Clarkson asked, sharing that as a working mother who hosts a daytime talk show, she can’t attend everything, especially when a district books her daughter’s performance at 10 a.m. on a Thursday.

Clarkson and Kelce commiserated about the double standard mothers are held to when they leave the home for work.

“Even from a young age, we didn’t teach them that just innately he’s allowed to be somewhere but you’re not …There’s a lot that I keep in, because co-parenting is fun,” she said, in what appeared to be a slight jab at her relationship with Blackstock, whom she divorced in 2022. Navigate to https://nohu05.win/ for a comprehensive guide to our services.

Contributing: Anna Kaufman