Kelly Clarkson became America’s sweetheart after winning American Idol in 2002. She’s happily content with her body and refuses to get caught up in the beauty standards imposed on celebrities.
As a successful singer and TV host, Clarkson suggests changing the narrative. She wants to shift the focus from judging appearances to valuing talents above all else in the entertainment industry.
At just 20 years old, Kelly Clarkson caught the attention of the notoriously tough-to-please Simon Cowell. Despite being a newcomer to the entertainment scene, her career skyrocketed, marked by numerous successes.
Her debut singles in 2002, “Before Your Love” and “A Moment Like This,” performed at the American Idol finale, made history. They broke The Beatles’ record for the fastest leap to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
Known for her soprano voice that can reach the whistle register (the highest human vocal range), Clarkson also sang the anthem at the NBA finals and the 2012 Super Bowl.
Now 41, the delightful Clarkson served as a judge on singing competitions like Duets and The Voice. Additionally, she hosts her own talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, currently in its fourth season. The show’s popularity and unique premise have earned her 13 Daytime Emmy Awards.
Juggling her roles as a TV host, songwriter, and single mother of two (following her 2021 divorce from an eight-year marriage), the “Since U Been Gone” singer also delves into writing children’s books. These books feature lullabies composed and performed by her.
Despite her diverse achievements, spanning country, rock, and pop music, online scrutiny tends to fixate solely on her weight gain. In an interview with Redbook, she reflects on how she’s learned to tune out the noise. According to Clarkson, people seem more concerned about aesthetics than genuine health. She shares, “For me, when I’m heavier, that’s when I’m happy. It represents happiness in my emotional world.” She emphasizes the importance of focusing on personal well-being and happiness rather than conforming to others’ expectations.
Facing societal beauty standards, Clarkson acknowledges ongoing judgments about her changing weight from her twenties to the present—a natural and expected aspect of life.
In a 2020 interview with Glamour, Clarkson opened up about feeling more pressured when she was thinner and not as healthy due to intense work demands. The constant exposure to unrealistic beauty standards through magazines created a competitive atmosphere that she couldn’t relate to. She emphasized that everyone is different and that it’s okay to embrace individuality.
Clarkson shared her struggles with an autoimmune condition and hyperthyroidism, conditions that impact her weight with fluctuations of up to two sizes within a day. Acknowledging the limited control she has over her weight, she highlighted her commitment to managing symptoms through dietary changes. Opting for a non-GMO, pesticide-free, and organic diet, she successfully shed 37 pounds.
In 2018, she disclosed her journey on Today, stating, “I know the industry applauds the weight loss, but for me, it wasn’t about shedding pounds. It was about being off my medication,” which she finds empowering. Clarkson underscores that she’s an entertainer and should be appraised for her talent rather than her appearance.
She emphasizes this point by sharing her experience of landing a top television show at her heaviest point, shortly after having kids. According to Clarkson, her personality and ability to establish genuine connections were the factors that secured her the talk show. It wasn’t about her sex appeal or aesthetic appearance. She believes it’s the responsibility of artists to challenge people to focus on individuals’ character rather than their outward appearance.
Discussing Adele, whom she admires as a goddess, Clarkson expressed, “…I don’t care about the weight she carries; when she enters a room, she’s like a force, utterly captivating… that doesn’t change how many times I’ve listened to her record.”
As for her approach to aging in the coming decades, Clarkson humorously declared, “I’m going to look like a total Shar Pei, like a dog.” She playfully joked about embracing every wrinkle, acknowledging that her choice isn’t a judgment on those who opt for cosmetic procedures. She shared a lighthearted fear of substances like botulism toxin, adding, “It’s literally called botulism toxin, and I’m like, no.” Ready to showcase the natural aging process on camera, she hopes people see it as a genuine representation of what getting older looks like.
Kelly Clarkson is a great example of someone who’s beautiful both inside and out. We think she’s amazing, no matter her weight, and we agree with her message to appreciate artists for their talents. What do you think about the wonderful Clarkson and her impressive career?