Kelly Clarkson embraces career shifts
When Kelly Clarkson released “Meaning of Life,” the nostalgic pop-soul record that reinvigorated her career, she had a good feeling about it.
“I felt it was going to be a big life change,” Clarkson said during a phone call. “I just didn’t know how.”
Clarkson was the first “American Idol” winner and one of the show’s greatest success stories. Although her career never flagged, exactly, by the time “Meaning of Life” arrived in the fall of 2017, she was ready for something new.
The album’s success, in conjunction with her growing visibility as a coach on “The Voice,” led to “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” a vaguely “Ellen”-like, variety-style daytime talk show that will launch in September on Nbc-owned stations. Until then, she’s promoting her role in the upcoming animated film, “Uglydolls,” and her ongoing tour.
The singer, who has two young children and two stepchildren, talked about her TV project, being a working mom and more in these interview excerpts.
On her talk show
We shot the pilot and I was like, “This is really fun.” Honestly, I was terrified at first. I was like, “This might be a horrible idea.” … I definitely don’t have a problem (making conversation), but my problem is it has to be quick. I don’t do synopsis super well. I like investing in something wholeheartedly, even my friendships. I don’t do acquaintance super well. I like full-blown relationships.
On celebrity guests
I don’t follow pop culture as well as the average human. I don’t know when people get married or get divorced — I’m not usually the first person to know that, so I definitely have to have a stellar team that keeps me up-to-date. The last thing I’d ever want someone to feel is that I don’t (care). I want them to know that I care about what they’re doing, and it’s valid and of worth.
On working motherhood
My mom was single for a portion of my life, so I always had a mom that worked really hard. I understood that at a young age. I didn’t feel abandoned. I knew she had to work, she had to pay our bills, and it was important to her. I’m not the mom with a ton of guilt about that. I have a pretty good balance; I feel super blessed in that area. I don’t feel like I have to really give up anything because we have a super great support system and two nannies that help us out when I literally can’t be there because I’m onstage. My husband (Brandon Blackstock) manages me, so normally if I’m working, he’s working.
On confidence
Once I survived the gauntlet of junior high, I became pretty confident because I started singing, and that gave me a huge amount of confidence. People telling you you’re really good at something can turn a kid’s life around . ... I think because I don’t derive validation or worth from others — if you put your worth and value into things that really matter to you, that’s where confidence comes from.
On being a star
From “Idol,” people would say, “You’re a part of our family,” or, “We voted for the girl next door.” And I would say, “I kind of am, probably. I’m no different than you.” I lucked out. I am a hard worker, but I know plenty of people who worked very hard to get where I am, and they don’t get there. It’s just the aligning of the stars at some point. I’m no different.