THE VOICE -- "Live Top 10" Episode 1417A -- Pictured: Kelly Clarkson -- (Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC)
Kelly Clarkson on Giving Back to Young Artists: “There’s nothing like being able to do that for somebody else”
Kelly Clarkson knows a thing or two about reality shows. The superstar was the first “American Idol” winner 16 years ago and she just served as “The Voice” coach for season 14’s Brynn Cartelli, 15,–the show’s youngest singer to take home the top prize.
THE VOICE -- "Live Finale" Episode 1419B -- Pictured: (l-r) Brynn Cartelli, Kelly Clarkson -- (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)
“There’s no better bookend for me, to be able to turn around for someone that’s young — I wasn’t as young as her, but I was young. And to turn around and be able to help and give someone that opportunity that I had. And I know it was a blessing, and I know it’s aligning the stars. It is a lot of hard work for both of us, but it’s also aligning the stars. We know a lot of talented people that could be in our position, and we’re very lucky,” she told press backstage at “The Voice.”
Clarkson, who has three Grammys to date, experienced mega success after “Idol” and wants the same for Cartelli.
THE VOICE -- "Live Top 12" Episode 1415B -- Pictured: (l-r) Brynn Cartelli, Kelly Clarkson -- (Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC)
“I don’t have any dog in the hunt. I don’t make money off of Brynn. And that’s the thing I think that is so key for people that are in this industry: Surround yourself with a few people that don’t need you to succeed for them. You know what I’m saying? I think that’s key a lot of times. And the people that you do surround yourself with work, make sure those are positive lights in your world. And I have this whole thing in a song, and it’s, “Pick the weeds and keep the flowers.” And it’s such a necessary thing, regardless of the industry you’re in; whatever your vocation is,” Kelly Clarkson said.
THE VOICE -- "Live Finale" Episode 1419A -- Pictured: Kelly Clarkson -- (Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC)
Although the “Miss Independent” singer is no longer coaching Cartelli, she’s still involved in her career offering advice.
“I’m just really excited to just be her cheerleader. I don’t need anything from her; I just desire her to be successful and, most of all, happy because I wasn’t happy for a long time, and I think it’s because I didn’t have anybody to, constantly be, like, checking it, you know? So, I hope I’m that for her.”
So why does Kelly Clarkson enjoy mentoring younger artists?
“I would love to help out as many people as possible because I think whenever you reach a point where you’re just so thankful, and everything else is just the cherry on top, even if it’s successful or not, there’s nothing like being able to do that for somebody else. It’s the ultimate feeling. Even better than when it’s for you. So, I’m very excited to be able to help her,” she revealed.
THE VOICE -- "Live Finale" Episode 1419B -- Pictured: Kelly Clarkson -- (Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC)
As for her own career, Kelly Clarkson explained why she thinks she’s still around almost two decades later.
“Everybody in this industry, since the beginning of my career, has been telling me to, kind of, not be me. We want you to do something else. And I think the reason why I’m still here is because I am me, and I don’t really care either way, you know? I love myself. And it’s cool if you dig it; it’s cool if you don’t. I’m totally down either way.”
THE VOICE -- "Live Semi Finals" Episode 1418A -- Pictured: Kelly Clarkson -- (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)
Kelly Clarkson told reporters she’s proud of Cartelli for sharing the same way of thinking, and revealed her upcoming plans.
“We are going to hit radio hard. And it’s helpful that I have a single out right now, too. So, you know, for calling in about mine, I’m going to call in and have Brynn with me too. I really feel like that’s the one thing because, sometimes, we can go through so many of these people on shows, and you really need to push these — it’s sad because you get a lot of people that are so talented on this show, and then, right after you have to have a team. You could be Aretha Franklin, and you need a team working your record. You need people marketing your record; you need people promoting it on radio. Like, I’ve been on the radio for years, and I still have to have that.”