Kelly Clarkson On Honesty: ‘Sometimes A Turd Is A Turd’
Kelly Clarkson is living her honest truth. As the singer-songwriter gears up for the release of her upcoming studio album chemistry, she shared what she learned after going through heartbreak…

Kelly Clarkson speaks onstage at Dolby Theatre on March 27, 2023 in Hollywood, California.
Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesKelly Clarkson is living her honest truth. As the singer-songwriter gears up for the release of her upcoming studio album chemistry, she shared what she learned after going through heartbreak and divorce in a new interview. Per People, Clarkson, 41, says she needs to "not only be honest about those that are around me… but to be honest with myself."
The talk show host doesn't think she's ever been a liar "by no means," but she thinks that people "mold things and shape them to justify them instead of just being truly honest about what’s really happening because you don’t want it to be that way." Kelly says it's okay to be honest about things that are "not for me." She believes we should be comfortable enough with not having "transactional relationships and that fear of losing something if you’re honest with them. Because you’re going to lose them anyway.”
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The "Breakaway" singer says, "At a certain age, we just get tired of trying to make everything shine." She then gave a great analogy: "Sometimes a turd is a turd, and you can’t polish it. Sometimes it’s what it is. It’s okay."
As we recently reported, Clarkson said her nearly seven-year marriage to Brandon Blackstock lasted as long as it did because of her ego. She shares son Remington “Remy” Alexander, 7, and daughter River Rose, 8, with Blackstock. Not wanting to put her children through what she did as a child, Clarkson added, "If I’m being completely honest, we don’t want to do what we saw done. I don’t want my kids to be those kids at school." Her parents divorced when she was six years old.
Clarkson's tenth studio album, chemistry. releases on June 23. She will also be heading to Las Vegas for a 10-show residency starting July 28. The dates are: July: 28 and 29 and August 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 18 and 19.
Kelly Clarkson’s Best ‘Kellyoke’ Performances of 2023 (So Far)
Kelly Clarkson keeps cranking out amazing covers in her Kellyoke series. The singer and talk show host never fails to entertain with her genre-spanning covers. From Destiny's Child to Lenny Kravitz to Chris Stapleton, you don't know what song she will put her own spin on next.
Clarkson previously released an album of six of her covers from 2022 after "singing over 500" on The Kelly Clarkson Show, which she said was "near-impossible" to choose. The Kellyoke album was released in June of 2022 and features the following songs:
Announcing her upcoming 10th studio album, Chemistry, the singer said she didn’t want “everybody” to think that her emotions could just be simplified as angry or sad. She explained in a video, “This album is definitely the arc of an entire relationship, and a whole relationship shouldn’t be just brought down to one thing. So there’s the good, the bad, the ugly thing kinda going on in it.”
In addition to new music, Clarkson will also be heading to Las Vegas, singing fan favorites and new songs, for a 10-show residency starting July 28.
See our favorite Kellyoke performances of 2023 so far below:
Better Man (Taylor's Version) ((Kelly's Version))
Kelly playfully made Taylor's version her own, as she notes in the caption.
'Do I Wanna Know?' - Arctic Monkeys
Kelly's rendition of "Do I Wanna Know?" is so powerful and we might like it even better than the original!
'Survivor' - Destiny's Child
Kelly kicked off Black History Month with this powerhouse cover of Destiny Child's 2001 hit song.
'Breath Again' - Joy Oladokun
Clarkson shows the softness of her voice in this beautiful ballad by emerging artist, Joy Oladokun.
'Strong Enough' - Cher
Though it is impossible to out-sing Cher, Clarkson's rendition of 1998's "Strong Enough" is fun and high energy.
'Finally' - CeCe Peniston
Clarkson gives CeCe Peniston a run for her money in this groovy dance cover.
'In the Meantime' -- Spacehog
Clarkson blew us away with her version of rock band Spacehog's 1994 song.
'It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over' - Lenny Kravitz
Kelly lets us know it ain't over till it's over in this Lenny Kravitz cover of "It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over."
'When I Think of You' - Janet Jackson
The talk show host covered one of our favorite Janet Jackson songs: "When I Think of You."
'Gotta Get Thru This' - Daniel Bedingfield
Starting off the song slow, Kelly ups the energy in this classic dance pop song, "Gotta Get Thru This."
'Free' - Florence + The Machine
Kelly kicked off Spring with another Florence + the Machine cover, belting out "Free."
'Pick Up Your Feelings' - Jazmine Sullivan
We are loving this soulful cover of Jazmine Sullivan's Grammy-award-winning song.
'Something Stupid' - Nancy & Frank Sinatra
Kelly and Shazam!'s Zachary Levi harmonized beautifully in this cover of 'Something Stupid' by Nancy and Frank Sinatra.
'Return of the Mack' - Mark Morrison
We love how effortless and natural Kelly sounds in her cover of Mark Morrison's "Return of the Mack."
'You Are a Tourist' - Death Cab for Cutie
Clarkson breathes new life into Death Cab for Cutie's "You Are a Tourist."
'Fade Into You' - Mazzy Star
Kelly has the vocal power to make this Mazzy Star cover both dreamy and calming, yet powerful and commanding.
'Where Is My Mind?' - The Pixies
Kelly gave the Pixies a run for their money when she covered "Where Is My Mind?" in February.
'Tennessee Whiskey' - Chris Stapleton
Clarkson evoked her inner Stapleton when she covered this smooth cover of "Tennessee Whiskey."
'Set Fire To The Rain' - Adele
Adele who? Clarkson blew her fellow powerhouse singer away in her rendition of this Adele classic.
Kelly & P!nk - 'What About Us'
These two powerhouse singers might be the most iconic pairing of all time! Kelly harmonizes beautifully with P!nk, allowing her to take the spotlight.
'Lady In Red' - Chris De Burgh
Her performance of Chris De Burgh's signature song from 1986 is simply beautiful.