Kelly Clarkson couldn’t resist throwing shade at celebrities who had been “rude” to her during her rise to fame on “American Idol.”
In a recent interview on “Watch What Happens Live,” Clarkson struggled to recall the names of winners from the past five years when asked by Andy Cohen.
Laughing, she admitted that she couldn’t name any.
This prompted her to reflect on how winning the competition gave it a newfound legitimacy.
Her success as a musician paved the way for other contestants like Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, and Katharine McPhee, who were instantly seen as pop stars.
However, Clarkson revealed that being a reality competition pioneer came with its own set of challenges.
On her talk show in 2021, she admitted that other celebrities initially treated her dismissively and were “rude” to her.
Although Cohen pressed her to name names, Clarkson chose not to divulge the details but instead served them a generous dose of shade.
Without naming specific individuals, Clarkson hinted that many of those celebrities eventually found themselves on similar shows, such as “The Voice,” “America’s Got Talent,” the rebooted “American Idol,” or even “Dancing with the Stars.” She added, “It’s funny what money does.”
Clarkson had previously opened up about feeling dismissed by her peers during a conversation with Jennifer Love Hewitt on her talk show.
She expressed gratitude to Hewitt for being kind to her when they first met at an MTV Awards event during her time on “American Idol.”
Clarkson recalled the challenging experience of facing rudeness from people because they came from a talent show, especially during the show’s first season. Hewitt’s support and encouragement meant a lot to her during that time.
While it may be challenging to remember the names of recent reality competition winners due to the abundance of such shows, it’s important not to underestimate their potential.
Notable figures like Harry Styles, Emma Stone, and Jon Hamm had their first public appearances through reality competition series. Others, such as designer Christian Siriano and Cardi B, kick-started their careers through shows like “Project Runway” and “Love & Hip Hop: New York.”
In conclusion, Clarkson’s shade serves as a reminder to show respect to those who emerge from reality TV.
