Clarkson’s up and coming interview with Elle Mag. KOAR is following the Clarkson story because we want to show aspiring artists how to work the media. Also want to show the negative effect of media slavery.
On battling with record industry executives over the release of My December:
“I’ve sold more than 15 million records worldwide, and still nobody listens to what I have to say. Because I’m 25 and a woman…My resistance upsets a lot of people, because we could make a lot of money. And I’m not hatin’ on money. But you know in Funny Girl, when they make Barbara Streisand sing the ‘beautiful girl’ song, and she is singing these lyrics and she knows she’s not that person? I’m just not comfortable doing things that don’t feel like me.”
On declining an offer of $10 million by Clive Davis (pictured right) to ditch five of her songs for more radio-friendly picks of his choosing:
“I am a good singer, so I can’t possibly be a good writer. Women can’t possibly be good at two things. I haven’t lost my temper about it. It only drives me more. If your thing is to bring me down, cool. I’ll just work harder.”
On being famous:
“I could give a crap about being a star. I’ve always just wanted to sing and write.”
On unflattering paparazzi shots:
“I’m fine with it. I just don’t care. I don’t wear makeup in public. I don’t worry about what I’m wearing. Hell, I wore pajamas in high school.”
On being ambivalent about her success:
“It is weird when a 12-year-old tells me I am their favorite artist. I’m always like, It’s just because you’re young and you haven’t heard everybody yet. In time, I’ll be weeded out. And that’s cool. I know I’m good singer, but I know who I am, too.”
Great interview with Clarkson. She is confident and in control maintaining focus as the media machine attempts to take her down. We said it before and we say it again, “You are a rock star Kelly”. Nice job!
More information/Sources (Elle, PH)
Kelly totally embodies that “I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks” rockstar attitude…not to mention her music is really good. If you can find the song ‘Haunted’ off her new CD, it will make you wonder even more why Clive is all up in arms about this record.
The more I think about it, it COULD also just be a very clever PR stunt. After all, all of this is great for Kelly’s image. Even if her album will be a commercial failure, she will gain a lot of credibility, which they can cash in on big time, on her next record… and that one will be very radio friendly. This move is kinda what RCA already did with Avril Lavigne (maybe it’s just a coincident, who knows). 1st record: formular pop, 2nd: dark/self-written, 3rd: formular pop (again.. and even cheesier than the first record, just look at the “girlfriend” single). Only difference, Kelly’s “dark record” seems more real, due to the Clive Davis thing.
Re: “rockstar attitude” — Kelly has it’s all done, without the help of crack, inciting cops, temper tantrums, etc.
Everybody has their ‘own path’ to rock stardom. To each its own. The bottom line is that one has to have belief, passion, fire, and desire.
Dean
this lady has a huge ego — “i know more about the music biz than clive’ — and fox sold 15 miliion albums , not kelly
[...] Clarkson Is Punk Rock Kelly Clarkson claims in a recent Elle interview that she turned down $10 million from Clive Davis to ditch five of her songs for more radio-friendly tunes of his [...]
“this lady has a huge ego — “i know more about the music biz than clive’ — and fox sold 15 miliion albums , not kelly”
Re:
If Fox was selling 15 million albums by the bundles, then why did Clay Aiken, Fantasia, Ruben Studdard, etc. all have moderate hits and fade off of the radar while Kelly , Chris Daughtry and Carrie Underwood have all gone multi-platinum? Kelly had an amazing, flawless pop record, whether you like it or not. Undeniable hits. Hands down. Good for her.
Kelly has fired Jeff Kwatinetz.
I think shes right and totally justified. Shes an amazing singer, she should be allowed to explore that talent and let it grow. she got lucky getting on american idol and had to pay her dues with a super-pop album, but i think shes paid em and should be able to explore her own creativity.
You know, hands down, I dont care if you’re Aerosmth,
Poison, Kelly Clarkson. Once you’ve been developed with a global fan base, then some of the roles at a major label need to shift and compromise.
Kelly could leave RCA tomorrow and get picked up within hours by any one of the other 4 Super labels, Capitol/EMI, WB, Universal, Koch. And Clive needs to realize that. RCA/Sony is not the only game in town. Granted it maybe one of the biggest, but not the only!
15 Million copies worldwide? Who WOULDNT pick her up?
Kelly should have creative control, to some aspect.
There should be a viable compromise between the label and the artist. It is her career, that has made them MILLIONS of dollars. And she’s going to stay around for a long long time.
So why fight it? Instead of embrace it? Push the record as hard as you have the others, which is the problem here. Just that RCA simply doesnt want to push the record.. If they do, and it hits platinum sales, then no ones walkin on egg shells any more.
More than likely, it will no doubt go at least “gold”
by default if half heartedly promoted. Again, everybody still wins and Kelly is still doing arena tours.
Compromise is the key. Clive doesnt look like he’s willing to do that.
-Nolan
[...] come to something when Kelly bloody Clarkson turns out to be a beacon of rebellion. As reported here, Clarkson has been battling with legendary producer and BMG chairman Clive Davis over her new [...]