Kelly Clarkson Drops Industry Bombshell Involving Fellow Artists After 'American Idol' Win

Kelly Clarkson is getting candid about the criticism she faced after winning "American Idol," and the surprising turn of events involving some of her harshest industry critics.

In a new episode of Kylie Kelce’s "Not Gonna Lie" podcast, the Grammy-winning singer didn’t hold back while discussing the reaction to her 2002 "American Idol" win, revealing that many peers who once mocked her success eventually found themselves coaching on "The Voice," a show she herself joined in 2018.

“People that were really mean have been coaches,” Clarkson said. “[They] hated talent shows, and they ended up being on 'The Voice.'”

Clarkson, now 42, became a household name overnight with her win on "Idol," then judged by Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, and Randy Jackson. While she would later serve as a coach on "The Voice" for several seasons, she admitted that the industry’s early rejection of talent competitions was hard to ignore.

“People were really cruel at first,” she shared. “They didn't like it. It took the industry kind of by storm... Now there’s so many.”

She added, “People like us who have been there in that audition process… 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.”

Though she didn’t name names, her words highlighted the disconnect between past criticism and current participation in the very format that launched her career.

Clarkson also reflected on her own entry into the competition, revealing she didn’t even realize "American Idol" was a TV show until her third audition. “Nobody knew it was going to amount to anything,” she recalled.

Following her "Idol" win, Clarkson released the chart-topping single "A Moment Like This" and her debut album "Thankful" in 2003, kicking off a career that has now spanned 10 studio albums and earned her three Grammys and four American Music Awards.

While her professional life has flourished, Clarkson has navigated personal challenges in recent years, most notably her divorce from Brandon Blackstock, finalized in 2022. The couple share two children, daughter River, 10, and son Remington, 8.

Clarkson left "The Voice" after Season 23 to prioritize raising her children following a cross-country move. “I wouldn’t have stopped doing the show had I not moved across the country and been a single mom of two,” she said.

Though she rarely speaks directly about her ex, Clarkson appeared to take a subtle jab during the podcast conversation with Kelce.

While discussing societal double standards for working mothers versus fathers, she 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.”

She added, “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?’”

Clarkson is committed to instilling confidence and independence in her children while protecting them from the pressures of fame. She previously 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,” she explained.

Despite juggling work, parenting, and healing from divorce, Clarkson feels grounded in her role as a mom. “I can be hard on myself as a mom, but I think I’m doing a good job,” she told People. “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,” she added. “I’m definitely screwing up my children somehow! But I’m doing my best.”

From redefining her career post-Idol to navigating the realities of modern motherhood, Clarkson continues to strike a rare balance of vulnerability and strength, and fans are here for every unapologetic moment.