Kelly Clarkson
News (Page 3)

Remember when we said - yesterday - that Kelly Clarkson would need to go back to the studio for her third album.

Yeah. We were joking. Despite rumors that executives at RCA were so disappointed with her new music they decided to scrap the Idol's third album, My December will be released on July 24.

The CD, produced by David Kahne, is back on track and pleasing critics.

A Los Angeles Times writer praised "the succulent, slightly dark timbre of [Clarkson's] alto" as well as "her ability to nail those shirt-ripping high notes."

"It is very aggressive," Clarkson told the paper. "And it might be too much. But I just needed to be able to make this record and not have so many hands in the cookie jar saying, 'Pull this string, pull that string.' I was like, 'Just give me this one thing, and I will make whatever record you want next time.' Now, I need this, for me."

Fans don't seem disappointed. The first single "Never Again" debuted last week at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

They will get to hear more new tracks like "Haunting," "Chivas," "Be Still," "One Minute" and "Sober" when Clarkson showcases her new material during a summer tour that begins July 11 in Portland, Ore., and runs through Sept. 26 in Los Angeles.

This isn't good news for one of our all-time favorite American Idol stars:

Kelly Clarkson has reportedly scrapped her new album after label bosses weren't impressed with the record. The 25-year-old singer suffered a scathing attack from Sony BMG chief Clive Davis after he heard the new tracks, reports British newspaper the Daily Star.

A source at the record company tells the paper: "It was an extraordinary presentation. Clive was absolutely merciless in his criticism of Kelly. She's one of the biggest priorities on the label and her new songs were savaged."

The American Idol winner has been working on the follow up to the 2005 best selling album Breakaway for 18 months, but has reportedly gone back to the studio to work on new tracks.

With all due respect to this year's American Idol beauties - Antonella Barba and Haley Scarnato - a pair of past contestants made the annual FHM Sexiest Women in the World list.

The first-ever champion, Kelly Clarkson, stood at number-96. We can see her moving up next year as albums take off and she becomes even more of a sensation.

For Katharine McPhee, though, there's barely room for improvement. The runner-up to Taylor Hicks last year also came in second in this poll. But there's certainly no shame is losing out on the top spot to Jessica Alba.

Kelly Clarkson will be giving her voice a workout this summer. The Grammy-winning pop star and original American Idol will be on tour from July 7 to Sept. 28, visiting nearly 40 U.S. and Canadian cities, it was announced Thursday.

"This will be the biggest tour I've ever done," Clarkson said in a statement. "It's all about the music - we're bringing extra musicians and we'll be making an arena environment intimate because I want the fans to be part of the show."

Clarkson, whose third album is set for a summer release, will open her tour with the Live Earth concert at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The tour will end in Las Vegas in September.

As the current crops of American Idol hopefuls, such as Blake Lewis and Melinda Doolittle battle it for this year's crown, let's not forget about the original winner.

Here's an image of Kelly Clarkson from her new music video for the song, "Never Again." Why is she decked out in white?

"Not to get all artsy-fartsy, but I'm all in white, everything is in white, because it's been ripped of innocence," the Grammy winner said.

The following review is courtesy of Entertainment Weekly ...

Not that I harbor any ill will toward Kelly Clarkson, but I've got to say, heartbreak and resentment sound awfully good on her. Indeed, the original American Idol is back in the role of woman scorned on "Never Again," the new single from her upcoming CD, My December, and the track packs an even more stinging punch than her ubiquitous "Since U Been Gone."

Lyrically, Kelly aims most of her rage at her cheating lover, but midway through the second verse, as she turns her attention to the other woman, she manages to simultaneously deliver a warning and a bitchslap with the lines: "When your day comes and he's through with you/ And he'll be through with you/ You'll die together, but alone." Ice cold — but refreshing!

I believe the first contender for Song of Summer 2007 has arrived.

Chris Daughtry may sing with the bulls.

But Kelly Clarkson rides with the drivers. Sort of.

In a "landmark collaboration," Clarkson "will be integrated into all aspects of NASCAR." The integration consists mainly of "an at-track concert, TV spot, charitable endeavors and NASCAR's Awards Dinner."

"Anybody who knows me knows I'm a race fan and love NASCAR," said the first-ever America Idol. "I look forward to hanging out with the fans, drivers and the entire NASCAR community."

Kelly will start by headlining a pre-Daytona 500 FOX special Feb. 18, the NEXTEL Tribute to America. Next, she'll film a 30-second NASCAR commercial that will include a new song from her next album.

Clarkson will also be the spokesperson and ambassador for the fourth annual NASCAR Day May 18, appearing in another ad to promote the occasion. And she'll perform at NASCAR's 27th annual Champions Banquet in New York Dec. 3, which will be aired live on ESPN.

Since winning American Idol in 2002, Kelly Clarkson has been no stranger to mixing up her look - from blond to brunette, from sweet to sexy, from long to short - but People magazine still couldn't help noticing the dramatic difference between her most recent red carpet look and her off-duty style.

At the CMT Giants event in late October, Kelly sported a perfectly curled coif and polished makeup. But this week, she visited the Broadway musical Avenue Q with no visible makeup and a newly cropped, darker do.

Which look do you prefer, fans?

Kelly Clarkson is versatile.

The American Idol will soon guest star on the sitcom, Reba. At the same time, she's been busy recording six songs with punk bassist Mike Watt for her upcoming album.

"I was really impressed how she sang her ass off," Watt tells Billboard magazine. "It was intense. I'm really glad I had the experience."

There's no word yet on when this new CD will be ready - but if it does as well as Daughtry album sales, Clarkson will be one happy lady.

Kelly Clarkson will make a guest appearance on country music star Reba McEntire's hit CW sitcome later this month.

The initial American Idol recently attended at event that honored McEntire and has made her admiration for the vertan singer well-known. Look for Clarkson to appear as a ditzy local TV station intern on the January 14 episode of the show.