Kelly Clarkson still 'Miss Independent'

Here's another lengthy Kelly interview this time with Elle Magazine. In the interview Kelly once again talks about her struggles with the label over the new album.

As well as the struggles for creative freedom, her thoughts on marriage and boyfriends.

These are some of my favourite bits:

My December's disparity of themes and lack of an obvious hit were not lost on producer Clive Davis, who is said to have offered Clarkson $10 million to ditch five of her songs for more radio-friendly picks of his choosing. Clarkson declined.

"My resistance upsets a lot of people, because we could make a lot of money," Clarkson says. "And I'm not hatin' on money. But you know in Funny Girl, when they make Barbra Streisand sing the 'beautiful girl' song, and she is singing these lyrics, and she knows she's not that person?" Clarkson sighs. "I'm just not comfortable doing things that don't feel like me."

I really have to give her credit for continuing to stand by her convictions. She sort of reminds of Pink in that way.

"My label wanted me to sing 'Never Again,'" she says. "And I was like, To promote yourself on a charity event is beyond crass. People are starving and dying and I'm up there singing some bitter pop song? And believe me, everyone wanted me to sing it. Because they are jaded and they have no soul. Imagine sitting in a room full of people totally against you. Can't they hear themselves speaking? Capitalize on AIDS? Are you kidding? Insulting an entire nation of people? I just refused."

I just love her uncompromising attitude, way to stand up to the brass Kelly!.

"She was incredible. When you let her come back on the show it makes everybody else look like an amateur," says Cowell, who believes Clarkson is the best winner yet "without question."

And to think Simon originally didn't like Kelly. But since he's eaten those words ten times over in the past 5 years I'll cut him some slack.

And if that isn't enough here are 5 more reasons to love Kelly (aside from her singing that is;)

A short list of things Clarkson doesn't want:
A clothing line.
A fragrance with her name on the bottle.
A television show.
A movie role.
A toy dog in a leather jacket.

Something tells me Kelly will be sticking around for a long time to come.

And going with the independent theme here's a People article that talks about Kelly parting ways with her manager.

Kelly Clarkson in control and loving it

If you've been reading my blog you all know I'm a big Kelly Clarkson fan, I've mentioned how much I'm looking forward to her new album My December a number of times. What I haven't mentioned is how big of a struggle this album became for Kelly creatively.

When the music exec's first heard Kelly's latest effort, they really didn't like it because they thought it was too dark. I remember reading that they wanted her to at one point scrap the whole thing!. I guess they wanted her to make a copy of her previous one.

That's all the labels do nowadays, make copies of the originals. Pretty soon there will be no music labels because everyone will be independent.

The latest issue of Entertainment Weekly has a revealing in-depth interview with Kelly about these very issues. It's quite a good read actually.

Here are some of my favourite bits:

"So when Clarkson decided not to reunite with any of the producers who helped craft that record's five ultra-catchy top 20 singles, insiders say that BMG Label Group's chairman, 40-year music veteran Clive Davis, sat on My December for four months, hoping she'd change her mind. She wouldn't".

Ok, gotta say gutsy move, yet somehow I think she made the right choice. Now I really know her album will not end up like Avril's latest effort.

I love the answer she gives in regards to her weight. Right on Kelly!. More people should have this attitude, especially in the world of (skinny) celebrities.

"Some of the songs are not what 10-year-olds are probably going to listen to. But we all go through situations for certain reasons, and I think we should share that. This record is more intense, it's more raw, it's more emotional. But it's not that different. It's not Metallica".

I'm actually loving the fact that this new album is going to be darker and more on the brooding side. Every artist has those times where things are not all hunky-dory, and I applaud her for not being afraid to explore that on her album. Now I really can't wait to hear it!.

And I also have to add, kudos to Kelly for not sticking with the norm and conforming to the labels wishes. That's one of the things I really like about her she continues to breakaway from the whole American Idol mold and is truly evolving as an artist in her own right. Which I think is something that only she has been able to do successfully, ok her and maybe Carrie Underwood.

As for her album sales, well there's no telling how they'll do, but I know one thing for sure I'll be the first in line to purchase my copy:).

Kelly Clarkson-Never Again

So this is Kelly's latest music video from her soon to be released album "My December". Which I hope shows some growth unlike Avril Lavigne's latest effort.

Somehow I don't think she'll disappoint if this song is anything to go by. I would describe this video as fun, sexy, goofy and a little freaky. But quite enjoyable nonetheless.

The only quibble I have with it, is the Britney Spears-like beginning in the bathtub. Other then that thumbs up to Kelly, I can't wait to hear her new stuff :).