This week, I had the pleasure of flying to New York City to cover Kelly Clarkson and her 8th album titled Meaning of Life. I was there on behalf of Atlantic Records and the Mom It Forward Community, and I was digging the job assignment. Little did I know that I would be having a conversation with someone who could honestly fit in with my family off the bat. Her personality is so welcoming, and warm, AND she’s a talker, just like I am! So all those teachers that gave me checks in “exercises self control” and told me that I would NEVER find a job that encouraged talking, this is for you!
Of course, before even realizing that this opportunity would arise for me, I first heard Kelly’s first single, Love So Soft, while heading north on the Dan Ryan expressway in Chicago. Then, I heard it everywhere else. In the Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium while on my 10th year wedding anniversary trip with Mr. Houseful, and on the radio when I needed to hear something upbeat. The lyrics are exactly what I think describes the type of relationship that Mr. Houseful and I have. We’re still flirtatious and completely under lock and key when it comes to our relationship. Plus, the song just provides for a good body roll and upbeat.
Not to be outdone, there are ballads on there that also speak to relationships whether they are intimate, or empowering. You don’t have to be a new mom or a wife to get it. You just have to be human. Listen to Move You. It speaks to exactly what I want to do with everyone I encounter in my life. One of the statements from her interview with Neil deGrasse Tyson really resonated with me. She stated that she has never felt sexier since becoming a mother. There’s something about that mind shift that let her know she was a force to be reckoned with – and this is all while having the confidence in herself that so many people search for. Did I mention that her personality is completely contagious? I’m a big personality, and it was refreshing to be in the room with another big personality and still fill like we were at home. She was gracious enough to compliment my red lipstick – something I’ve just recently become comfortable with wearing since my lips were a source of contention growing up and who in their right mind would call more attention to them. Me, that’s who, and now Kelly Clarkson thinks that the colors that I pick are kinda cool. Day made. We discussed her appearance on Jimmy Fallon which I’ll talk about in another post, but the fun that she had there was palpable. From her ability to joke about her songs (singing them backwards to boot) and her ‘shimmy for Jimmy’ dress, drew the audience in. At least it did that for me.
This is Kelly’s first album with New York’s Atlantic Records label, and her FIRST album out of her 15 year contract with American Idol. AI started in 2002, and those of you who aren’t new around these parts, know that was the year that I lost my sister. Music is what bonded us on a LOT of things, and music seemed to die a bit when she did. I don’t know about you all, but I do remember watching that first year of American Idol because I NEEDED to feel some happiness. It brought me that. From the auditions and figuring out how people could stand in front of these three judges and sing (or not) to the amazing singing that we were witnessing firsthand. It was game-changing. Now, here we are 15 years later watching what a bit of creative freedom can do for a person. Don’t get me wrong, her songs prior to Meaning of Life are AMAZING, but this album makes you feel something a bit different. It’s so grown-up Kelly, and new mother Kelly and wife Kelly. It’s the “I know what direction I want to head in and y’all need to get with the program” Kelly.
We headed to the YouTube Space in Chelsea Market on a cool Wednesday afternoon, and rode the elevator up with Mr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, who would be interviewing Kelly later that day. I may have introduced myself AND Ryder the Aviator Bear to him. I also decided to sneak a picture of the both of us in front of the YouTube elevator – because come ON, I was living my best life.
Anyway, we got settled in the space that we were going to watch Kelly and Neil, and set up shop. We videoed, we shared socially, we laughed, we body rolled, and we even got to INTERVIEW Kelly Clarkson. She had been questioned so much about the music side of this album, that I decided to go the wife, parent and woman route. And y’all – she’s a WHOLE LOTTA WOMAN for sure. She talks about how much she loves just being who she is. Her love for Texas even though she lives in Tennessee, and she does it with SOUTHERN FOOD REFERENCES! I LOVED spending time on the couch with her, and talking being moms of FOUR children, and creativity. I could have talked to her the entire afternoon, but we know that her schedule was grueling and didn’t want to add to an already long day. Maybe she’ll take me up on my offer to come and visit me in Chicago.
You can buy her new album HERE and you’re going to want to go ahead and do that now. Trust me. I may not be a music critic, but I know good music. I know music that makes me feel, and I know music that makes me think about the Meaning of Life. Clarkson hits the nail on the head, and she does it all while staying warm, approachable, and unapologetically herself. I can dig it.
How exciting. What a great post. Thank you for sharing this with us. I will go and listen to some of Kelly’s album now.
Thanks, and I hope you enjoy it!
Great interview! I admired that Kelly prioritizes the relationship with her hubby and then the kids. I know I struggle with balancing time for work, kids, friends, and the hubby.
YES! The spousal team is honestly more important (to me) than the parenting one because we’re left with each other after the kids move out of the house!
I watched you on social with this event and it looked amazing!!! I would love to just sit and have coffee with her…. or do a paint night…. Yeah wine and paint with Kelly.
Wouldn’t that be a BLAST?!
First, as a fellow Chicagoan, I can’t believe I’ve never run into your blog before now. Second, congrats on being able to meet Ms. Clarkson. I’ve always liked her “real” personality. Thanks for sharing your experience. BTW, I think your lips are perfectly normal. LOL! The red lipstick is ravishing dear.
Thanks so much! Whattup CHI-CITY! I know my lips are normal now, but you know, growing up they were the focus of SO MANY cruel jokes, and it took a bit of time for me to shake off that baggage. Now I’m a red/pink/wine wearing girl, and I love it!
I was an AI viewer from season 1. Kelly sounds just like I imagined.
I love me a good body roll so I need to get her album.
Bold red Ruby Woo is my signature color for my big lips.
Yes, Season 1 was one that I watched all the way through as I needed something to keep my mind busy, and it was just cathartic.
Body Rolls are life around these parts.
Within in the last couple of years, I just embraced reds and whatnot. I’m now teetering into pinks and purples for my lips. I LOVE IT!
I haven’t listened to KC in a very long time. Interested to hearing her latest album. Hopefully I’ll like a few of the songs as well.
This is amazing! So jealous and I love Kelly clarkson!!
Whoa that’s awesome! I love Kelly Clarkson’s music I purchased the album the first day it dropped. So cool that you were able to sit down and talk with her! She seemed really cool!
I absolutely LOVED watching your interview and learning a little more about Kelly Clarkson — she’s just a Mom (like us) working hard, and trying to do her best to not see herself (or her 3yo) show up in the news…in a not so good way…I adore you both, but mostly YOU! Thanks for sharing this fun video, LOVE IT!
Love ya Liz! Isn’t it weird how surprised we are when we realize that folks with a LOT more cash than us are just as normal and inundated with the stress of life. And no matter how much help they have in the form of nannies or cash, they still worry. Or at least some of them do. I also adore YOU! <3
Excellent interview. Pretty cool the the two of you share so many commonalities. You both seem to have a really great energy and zeal for life!
I actually miss Kelly Clarkson’s music and would have loved to catch this interview. She’s so down to earth and real and I love it!
So fun! Great interview. Love the “oxygen mask” analogy.
I’ve always loved Kelly Clarkson from the fist time she sang on American Idol. I’ve enjoyed her music over the year and I’m so glad to see that she really is down to earth! Love it!
What an awesome opportunity for you. I love that Kelly embraces her role as wife and mom. I will have to check out her new album as I too was AI fan for a long time.
First of all, I had no idea she was in a 15 year contract with American Idol, that’s crazy!!! Now that she’s embracing her family a lot, I’m glad to see that she’s shifting her focus and has the freedom to do the music she loves and wants to do! And kudos for you booking this interview with such a down to earth kinda girl!
I’m nerding out at all of this! So awesome! I’ve loved her since American idol and NDT ugh!!!
NDT was HILARIOUS! I mean, I expected him to be super stuffy and introverted, but he is SO ENGAGING! I was DEFINITELY living my best life last week.
I enjoyed Kelly Clarkson songs growing up. I cant believe that she was in a 15 year contract. That means I was still in High School when American Idol started. I’m glad you had the opportunity to interview. She appears to be down to earth. I just realized that you were on the Live interview with Brandi last week.
I just love her so much! Her story is amazing, and she is such a sweetheart. She’s one of my favorite singers, and I’m not even that into pop!
That is so cool that you got to meet her. She seems like a very sweet person. She also seems very sure of herself and in that kind of business that is a wonderful gift.
I’ve always loved Kelly Clarkson. Her personality is one of the things that I love about her. Her songs always seem to speak to something that I am feeling at the moment or have felt before.
Kelly Clarkson sounds like the nicest superstar I could ever imagine. It is so good that you met her and Neil Degrassi Tyson at the same time. I remember Kelly from American Idol and she has come so far.
What an awesome experience. I can’t say I know much about Ms. Clarkson’s music as I honestly don’t listen to much other than Broadway and classical.
I wondered what Kelly has been up to over the past few years. I love that Kelly keeps it real while inspiring others.
She has such a beautiful voice. I love how she is not afraid to be herself!
What an exciting opportunity! I love Kelly Clarkson. I’m actually watching her on The Voice at this very moment. I love her voice but mostly her personality. She for real. What you see and hear is what she really is.
I’ve always loved Kelly Clarkson. My friend went to this event as well and loved it too.
I would love the opportunity to interview Kelly Clarkson. I have have been a big fan of hers for so long. I love her new album Meaning of Life.
I love Kelly Clarkson. Ever since she came out with her first album I have always loved her music. I watched her on American Idol too. Still love her to this day! She’s very talented.
Kelly has been my favorite since the beginning. She can sing FOR REAL and is unlike other pop stars today.
It’s awesome that Kelly’s words resonated with you. Talking with her must have been a great experience!
I love it when you realize a celebrity or entertainer is down to earth and approachable! Kelly Clarkson seems like a person I would enjoy interviewing. I think she definitely knows how to keep her priorities straight.
I seriously LOVE Kelly Clarkson, so much. I’m a big fan of her music, but also just her as a person. She’s so real and honest and unapologetic for who she is, such a good role model. Love her. Did I say that I love her? 🙂
Kelly Clarkson seems like such a sweet person. I’ve always got that vibe from her, even when she first appeared on American Idol.
Wow, such a sweet interview. I love when famous people are down to earth. What an amazing trip!