Talk about the winner of the first American Idol. Only About her.

Kelly's Still "Representin' for the Thick Girls!"

Kelly was talking tour with Fantasia even before 'Tasia won American Idol! Miss Independent just knew she was in the presence of greatness.
Question: What did you think of the American Idol Finale?
Kelly: It was great! To be honest I haven't watched a whole lot of the show because I was touring, but I watched last night and, 'Summertime', I think that's when Fantasia pretty much took it. So, she did a great job, they both did. Now I know what it's like sitting in the audience balling!! She's just such a great singer, Fantasia, she's got such a emotional voice, she's just unique and she's just different from anyone else, and I think that's what's great about American Idol, you bring individuality into the picture.
Question: What advice did you give Fantasia?
Kelly: Oh I told her sleep! (laughs) I told everyone from this show to get as much sleep as you can afterwards. Even Diana, I mean they are not going to be sleeping for a loooong time. Because everyone wants to talk of course, because this is the most popular television show on right now. So, you know, it's going to be pretty hectic for them, but I think both of them have got great heads on their shoulders, especially Diana, I mean she's 16, that's pretty young!
Question: You've been on tour with another Idol Clay for the last year, any thoughts on touring with Fantasia now?
Kelly: Actually, before even today, I met Fantasia during rehearsals the other day, and we were talking about that it might be cool to tour together, we've got kind of different vibes going on, but we still like the soul, and our whole show is pretty much based around performance. I've love to do a song with her as well, cause she's got so much grit, and so much emotion in her voice. It's like Mary J. Blige, and Aretha, it's beautiful.
Question: Are you still representin' for all the thick girls out there?
Kelly: Are you kidding? (Turns around and points to her butt) Look at that! It's not going anywhere, 'cause I still like my big portions. (laughs) I'm from Texas, so whatever!
Question: Were you nervous at all getting back on the American Idol stage?
Kelly: No nerves. I don't know what it is, knock on wood, but I've never been nervous on stage. But, I was nervous watching them, at the end, when they were deciding, I was like "Oh god, this is like tension!" I was so afraid Ryan was going to break to commercial, I was going to hit him! So, no, it was kind of nervous watching them, because look how far they've come. I mean Diana's 16, she's learning a lot with the show. And she's got such a powerful voice for that age, and the same with Fantasia, she's young as well, she's 19. The show is kind of cool because it's a crash course on the industry lesson 101. It's kind of cool for us, because now working on my second CD, it's easy, I'm calm, nothing surprises me, because I came from this show, and everything was surprises here!
Question: So when should we expect From Justin to Kelly: Part 2? (laughs)
Kelly: Well, NEVER! Would be the word. (laughs) Yeah, no, it was fun, it was cool, I just got off the tour with Clay, and all the little kids loved the movie, they were all singing the songs. It was fun, and that's what it was meant for, but really I've never wanted to be an actress. I'm a movie buff, but I've never wanted to be an actress. I mean I do enough acting on stage, you know singing songs.
Question: What did you think of "I believe"? Would you trade your song "A Momment Like This" for "I believe"?
Kelly: Didn't Tamayra write a great song!!?? During the whole show I felt bad, I think the camera was on me and I'm all turned around saying "This is a great song!!" The thing about "A Moment like This" for my show and "I Believe" for this show, it's just, the songs are meant for the person who wins. Because I know Justin didn't even like singing the song, it wasn't the type of music that he liked, you know they both do a great job with it, Diana and Fantasia, but the emotion, I mean Tamayra wrote the song and it's a touching song for her, and it's great to see someone feel the same kind of emotion. The song was meant for whoever was supposed to win.
Question: What was your favorite performance from the Finale?
Kelly: I got to sing with Ruben and Fantasia tonight, and I really liked that. It was cool, it's a wonderful thing when you're on stage with people who you admire. You think, "Oh my god, it's such a blessing to be on stage with people who can sing!" You know, because there's a lot of people in the industry who can't! It's a lot of fun getting on stage with people who enjoy it, and have that drive and passion. Because everyone thinks this show is really easy, but I bet if you ask every contestant, it's not easy, especially my season. Nobody knew anything!! So you have to have a lot of drive and a lot of passion, and I think Fantasia definitely does. I can't wait to hear her CD!
Question: You're writing your second album now, what should we expect from you this time around?
Kelly: I've actually written most of it already, and it's stepping deeper into the rock and it's also stepping into a little bit of hip-hop/R&B, and I write all over the place I love every style of music, country music anything. So, if god's blessed me with the talent to do it, I guess I should! It's going to be pretty versitle, just like this past one, but just a little more so. The single should be coming out in August or September.
Thanks Kelly!
Kelly: Cool Beans! Rock on!

She is Cute

She sure is.

Can't wait for her next album.

I saw her latest video and WOWSERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Happy Holidays Message From Ms. Clarkson.

That was neat.

Oh yeah. My heart beat when I watched it. I was mesmerized.

Her latest video made it to #1 for the fifth time this Monday on TRL.

KELLY TO PERFORM AT THE SUPERBOWL
Jan 15, 2005

Kelly is now scheduled as one of the performers during the Superbowl
XXXIX Pre-Game Show!

The show will be four hours long and will air before the biggest NFL
event of the year on February 6 on FOX.

Get ready now and mark those calendars for one of Kelly's most
exciting venues yet - Superbowl XXXIX!

I'll be watchin'. ;)

I hope I'll be able to.

Ms. Clarkson will be on Saturday Night Live on February 12, 2005.

Shit. I misread it and thought she perfomed at halftime. *hits head on table*

No big. She sang "Since U Been Gone" and she ROCKED!!!!!!!!!!!!

She performed "Since You Been Gone" & "Breakaway" on SNL and she was extremely BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!

Two Yahoo! clubs I found:

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Kelly-Clarkson-/

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/KellyClarksonForever/

Recent appearances at the Super Bowl and on "Saturday Night Live" were just warm-ups for Kelly Clarkson, who has announced plans for a two-month North American theater tour. She plays the State Theatre in Minneapolis on April 6.

Pre-sale ticket opportunities are available to fans signed up to the mailing list at Clarkson's official Web site. Ticketmaster will open sales to the public for her Minneapolis date at noon Saturday.

The artist will be touring behind her sophomore RCA album, "Breakaway." Released in December, the set debuted at No. 3 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 1.3 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The album has already produced a pair of top 10 singles: the title track, which peaked at No. 6 on Billboard's Hot 100, and "Since U Been Gone," which is No. 9 on the singles chart. - Billboard.com


NEW YORK (AP) - Kelly Clarkson is hitting the road on her first solo headline tour.

Clarkson, winner of the first American Idol competition, will open The Breakaway Tour March 30 in Tulsa, Okla. The tour will end in Vancouver, B.C., May 29.

"Nothing makes me happier than being on the road," the 22-year-old singer said in a statement Tuesday. "I can't wait to see the fans and perform my new material."

Clarkson will perform in mostly theatre-size venues, which she says "will be a great opportunity for me to connect with my die-hard fans in an intimate setting."

Other stops on the 34-city tour include New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

Her second album, Breakaway, features two singles: the title track and Since U Been Gone.

NEW YORK -- Kelly Clarkson is hitting the road on her first solo headline tour.
Clarkson, winner of the first "American Idol" competition, will open "The Breakaway Tour" March 30 in Tulsa, Okla. The tour will end in Vancouver, British Columbia, May 29.
"Nothing makes me happier than being on the road," the 22-year-old singer said in a statement Tuesday. "I can't wait to see the fans and perform my new material."
Clarkson will perform in mostly theater-size venues, which she says "will be a great opportunity for me to connect with my die-hard fans in an intimate setting."
Other stops on the 34-city tour include New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
Her second album, "Breakaway," features two singles: the title track and "Since U Been Gone."


KELLY NEARS THE TOP 10 DOWN UNDER
This week on the Australian Top 50 Albums Chart, Kelly's album "Breakaway" is up three more spots to #12.
This is her peak position thus far, and it looks like it is very possible that Kelly will break into the Top 10 in the very near future!
Way to go Kelly, and keep up the amazing support, Australian fans!




Original 'American Idol' winner Kelly Clarkson to open first solo tour
Kelly Clarkson, winner of the first "American Idol" competition, is preparing to hit the road for her first solo headlining tour.

The Breakaway Tour" opens March 30 in Tulsa, Okla., and winds up in Vancouver, British Columbia, May 29, "Access Hollywood" said. Other stops on the 34-city tour include New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

"Nothing makes me happier than being on the road," the 22-year-old singer said. "I can't wait to see the fans and perform my new material."

'Idol' star Clarkson unveils first major tour
Kelly Clarkson will head out on her first major North American tour late march, taking in 34 cities across two months.
The American Idol star, currently sitting at number three on the U.S Mainstream Top 40 chart with new single 'Breakaway', will hit the road March 30 in Tulsa, OK.
"Nothing makes me happier than being out on the road," says Clarkson. "I can't wait to see the fans and perform the new material. Playing in these small venues will be a great opportunity for me to connect with my die-hard fans in an intimate setting. I'm really excited and I know it's going to be awesome."
The 'Breakaway tour' concludes on May 29 in Vancouver, British Columbia
Dates are:

March 2005
28 - Tulsa, OK - Performing Arts Center (available 2/26)
30 - Tulsa, OK - Performing Arts Center (available 2/26)
31 - Kansas City, MO - Midland Theatre (available 2/26)
April 2005
02 - Omaha, NE - Civic Music Hall (available 2/26)
03 - Saint Louis, MO - Keiner Plaza (available 2/26)
05 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theatre (available 2/26)
06 - Minneapolis, MN - State Theatre (available 2/26)
08 - Indianapolis, IN - Murat Theatre (available 2/26)
09 - Cleveland, OH - Palace Theatre (available 2/25)
11 - Columbus, OH - Palace Theatre (available 2/26)
12 - Detroit, MI - State Theatre (available 2/26)
14 - Rosemont, IL - Rosemont Theatre (available 2/26)
16 - Toronto, Ontario - Massey Hall (available 2/19)
17 - Kitchener, Ontario - Centre in the Square (available 2/19)
19 - London, Ontario - John Labatt Centre (available 2/19)
21 - Montreal, Quebec - Place des Arts (available 2/26)
22 - Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre (available 2/26)
24 - Wallingford, CT - Oakdale Theatre (available 2/26)
25 - Newark, NJ - New Jersey Performing Arts Center (available 2/26)
27 - New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom (available 2/26)
28 - Providence, RI - Providence Performing Arts Center (available 2/26)
30 - Upper Darby, PA - Tower Theatre (available 2/26)
May 2005
01 - Washington, DC - DAR Constitution Hall (available 2/19)
03 - Clemson, SC - Littlejohn Coliseum (available 3/5)
04 - Atlanta, GA - Fox Theatre (available to be announced)
06 - Boca Raton, FL - Mizner Park Amphitheatre (available 2/26)
07 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall (available 2/26)
09 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theater (available 3/5)
10 - Grand Prairie, TX - Nokia Live (available 2/25)
13 - Chula Vista, CA - Coors Amphitheatre (available to be announced)
16 - Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theatre (available 2/25)
18 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern LG (available 3/6)
19 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern LG (available 3/6)
24 - San Jose, CA - Civic Auditorium (available 2/26)
26 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre (available 2/25)
28 - Portland, OR - Arlene Schnitzer Hall (available 2/26)
29 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Queen Elizabeth Theatre (available 3/4

It has been confirmed that the Graham Colton Band will be the supporting act for Kelly's 'Breakaway' Tour!

Way to Go Kelly Clarkson: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/n..._chartbeat_dc_1


New single coming
The new single from Breakaway will be 'Behind These Hazel Eyes!' Look for the video to be premiered sometime in April.


Kelly Clarkson will sing at fest during Final Four


"American Idol" victor Kelly Clarkson may not have Dee Brown's fashion flair or Luther Head's talent, but unlike the Illini stars, she already has her invitation to headline the Final Four NCAA basketball tournament next month in St. Louis.
Clarkson, alternative act Better Than Ezra, soul singer Joss Stone and singer-songwriters Gavin McGraw
and Michael Tolcher will perform at the Dasani Fest, a free, all-day concert on the Gateway Mall April 3. The festival is one of a series of free events affiliated with the tournament.
"The whole idea is to reach out not just to the 50,000 visitors who will be in town but to our whole community," said Missy Slay, leader of the tournament's St. Louis organizing committee. "We want people to come down and take part in the experience. There will be a lot of things to do that won't cost a dime."
Coca-Cola, makers of Dasani bottled water, introduced the Dasani Fest in 2003 at the Final Four in New Orleans.
The festival will take place just a block away from another free party, the Taste of St. Louis, which will run April 1-3 in Keiner Plaza. That event will feature food from 15 local eateries, local blues and jazz bands and a children's stage. Slay will announce participating restaurants later this month. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 1, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 2 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 3.

Breakaway vs. Thankful


Kelly Clarkson's sophomore album "Breakaway" has created quite a buzz. She is becoming the star many of her fans knew she already was with the first note she belted out on American Idol. With the release of that album came many reviews - reviews that compare her to other artists, and reviews that compare "Breakaway" to "Thankful," her first album.
In reading the reviews comparing the two albums, it brings this writer to the conclusion that music is all about opinion. Many think that this is a defining moment for Kelly and is the album that is catapulting her further into stardom. The album that is finally defining a genre for her. Many reviewers say "Breakaway" is better than "Thankful." Yet there are those that say "Thankful" is better than "Breakaway."
What makes one better that the other? A little thing called "musical taste." Our musical preference usually determines if we like an album. We often buy an album because we like the artist and trust their work, or we buy the album because we like enough of the songs to make it worth the investment. Some albums are even purchased because of one song. Whatever the reason, you make the purchase because you like the songs, OR, did you make the purchase because of what a critic said? Though you may have been persuaded by the critic's review, whether professional or amateur, it is however, your like or dislike that will cause you to keep listening or let it collect dust. Your like or dislike determines what you will tell someone else about that album.
Kelly has been described as a versatile singer that can fit into any genre. Whether you like "Breakaway" or "Thankful" depends on which genre you prefer. While "Thankful" was an eclectic collection of wonderful songs, "Breakaway" is more rock. There are those that like "Breakaway" better because you get a defined genre, then, there are those that like "Thankful" better because you get to experience all aspects of Kelly's voice. Does that make "Breakaway" better than "Thankful" or "Thankful" better than "Breakaway?" The answer to that question lies within the taste of the listener.

Kelly Clarkson TV Appearances
(check local listings for times and channel)
3.14.05 - The Today Show (NBC, 7am)
3.15.05 - Live with Regis & Kelly (ABC, 9am)
3.25.05 - Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC, 1:35am)
TBA Dateline (Interview & B-roll footage)


SNEAK PEEK OF THE "BEHIND HAZEL EYES" DVD
With Kelly's "Behind Hazel Eyes" DVD coming out in less than four weeks, all of you fans are probably wondering what is in store for you when you pick up your copy on March 29.
Thanks to ElectricArtists.com, you can now get a sneak peek at a small portion of the DVD -- the making of the "Breakaway" video.
To check out this segment, you can click here. Keep in mind when you click that it will take a bit of time to load. If your browser says DONE on the bottom, continue to wait because it will begin shortly thereafter.
Get excited about this soon-to-be released DVD by getting a small preview today. And remember to pick up your copy of Kelly's "Behind Hazel Eyes" DVD in stores on March 29, or place your orders by using the button on the lefthand side of every page of this website!


Kelly Clarkson Has New Single On the Way
By Krista Desens
LOS ANGELES, CA Tuesday Mar.8.2005 /netmusiccountdown.com/ -- A new single is on the way from Kelly Clarkson. The original American Idol winner has selected "Behind These Hazel Eyes" for the next release off her sophomore album "Breakaway." According to her official Web site, Clarkson will premiere the song's video sometime in April.

Kelly chats with Z100's Cubby


Kelly Clarkson, calling from London, talked with Z100's Cubby about her international promotion, her upcoming Spring tour and her next single today on the New York radio station. "['Behind These Hazel Eyes' was] the last song recorded for the album. It had completely different lyrics at first when Luke [Gottwald] and I were writing it. Then, I had a really bad breakup with a guy...I'm fixin' to shoot the video when I get back to the states." Cubby even told Kelly that he would break her into sushi, when she told him she didn't like "the texture."
Download the audio of the interview by (right-clicking and save as) here. Credit goes to PiperCordy, thanks!


Kelly's segment on Dateline has been announced to be airing next Thursday, March 17, at 10pm EST.

Kelly Clarkson Has New Single On the Way


By Krista Desens
LOS ANGELES, CA Tuesday Mar.8.2005 /netmusiccountdown.com/ -- A new single is on the way from Kelly Clarkson. The original American Idol winner has selected "Behind These Hazel Eyes" for the next release off her sophomore album "Breakaway." According to her official Web site, Clarkson will premiere the song's video sometime in April.

COUNT IT DOWN WITH KELLY
Kelly will be co-hosting DFW's Most Wanted tonight on her hometown station, 106.1 KISS FM, along with Billy The Kidd.
Billy's show runs from 6:00pm - 10:00 CST, and the countdown begins at 8:00pm CST. To listen to this show LIVE, you can click here.
And remember, swing by 1061kissfm.com throughout the day and submit your request for "Since U Been Gone". To request, simply visit the radio station's website (1061kissfm.com), click on Billy The Kid on the lefthand side, and then scroll down his menu to DFW's Most Wanted. Let's make sure Kelly gets the opportunity to announce her own song as one of the most requested in her hometown!


SHE IS WOMAN, WATCH HER SOAR
According to an article on Reuters.com, Kelly has another impressive accomplishment to add to the list.
From the article:
For the first time in six months, a female artist is on top of the Adult Contemporary chart. In its 25th chart week, Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway" (Walt Disney/Hollywood) dislodges Los Lonely Boys' "Heaven" (Or/Epic) from No. 1. "Breakaway" is Clarkson's first No. 1 at AC.
The last woman to rule the AC list was Martina McBride with "This One's for the Girls." The only other female artist to have an AC No. 1 in the last year is Sheryl Crow.
Congratulations Kelly!

First Lady of American Pop
MTV has named Kelly Clarkson the First Lady of American Pop. Kelly joins Jennifer Lopez, Destiny's Child and more as part of their First Ladies on MTV.com. Check it out here!

Clarkson proves she's no empty 'Idol'



''American Idol" did its job for Kelly Clarkson, turning the small-town Texas girl into a platinum-selling superstar. And Clarkson did her job at the Orpheum last night, turning her treacly ''Idol" finale, ''A Moment Like This," into a punk tune.




Not to fret: Clarkson hasn't hung up her emotive ballads and pop-rockers. She has moved on, though, growing younger by the year since powering to a first-season victory as a fresh-faced 20-year-old with a criminally staid repertoire. And while Clarkson's carefully torn and mended Rolling Stones T-shirt and mall-hippie skirt may not scream originality, the singer put on a fabulously unpretentious show for a sold-out house filled largely with young girls and their transportation, as well as a surprisingly number of unaccompanied adults and at least one middle-school boy with braces mouthing every melisma with enormous passion.

Clarkson doesn't exactly have a sound. On a stage strewn with pillows no one sat on and exotic lighting fixtures that were utterly incongruous with the uber-mainstream mood, she chugged through the perfectly respectable songs from her two hit albums with great energy and good cheer. Backed by a well-manicured quintet, she devoured the high notes and bulldozed the low ones on the set-opening anthem ''Since U Been Gone," and gleefully pumped the whole microphone stand during the driving refrain of ''Walk Away."

Unlike her pop-tart contemporaries, Clarkson is a fine singer. She toggled effortlessly between soulful ballads -- ''Beautiful Disaster" was reworked as an alt-country weeper with violin and guitar -- commanding covers of Janis Joplin's ''Piece of My Heart" and Eurythmics' ''Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," and the dismally roiling ''Addicted." The latter sounds like the unwanted spawn of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Evanescence, and it's to Clarkson's great credit as an interpreter that she sells it nonetheless. She sang the thing like it was her favorite song ever, which, weirdly, it is.

The truth is it's her unassuming nature as much as her vocal talent that makes Clarkson such an appealing performer. It's hard to imagine Avril or Ashlee, suddenly drawing a blank in the middle of a really famous song, belting ''I forgot the words, la la la!" at the top of her lungs, which is exactly how Clarkson -- beaming and unafraid -- closed out the third verse of ''Miss Independent."

Kelly Clarkson Turns 23; Fans' Tour Wishes Come True
After hitting Europe, 'Idol' winner will return to U.S. for summer leg.

by Carolyn E. Davis
She may be a multiplatinum singer, but Kelly Clarkson isn't above a little silly string and velvet-red cake when it comes to celebrating her birthday. In fact, she's up for getting a little dirty and staying out on the road.
When it came time to fete turning 23 on Sunday at her concert in Wallingford, Connecticut, she ended up smeared in cake from head to toe and then happily proceeded to her meet-and-greet. Thinking back to the weekend festivities, Clarkson wouldn't divulge what she was thinking as she blew out her candles. "I can't tell you what I wished for because then it won't come true," she said. "It definitely had to do with work. It usually does."
For her rabid fans this news means even more tour dates to come for their beloved Taurean. Clarkson said she feels lucky to be where she is and is excited to be on the road with her fans on her first solo headlining tour. "I don't really care if I headline or if I don't but you know everyone in the audience is there to see you," she said. "It's very cool to have all my hardcore fans right there and having fun. They know all the songs, and they sing to everything."
Two of her songs have hit number one and are still going strong: the title track to her sophomore album, Breakaway, and "Since U Been Gone." Clarkson also has a new single, "Behind These Hazel Eyes," working its way up the charts. With all of this success, she knows she's not going to have much of a summer vacation. "The ups and downs, I guess, of having a great record and people liking it is that you're busy the whole time," she said. "So that's cool, but at the same time, there's no time off."
Admittedly, touring is Clarkson's favorite part, so she doesn't mind adding more shows - a lot more shows, in fact. This leg of her tour was set to wrap up in Vancouver, British Columbia, on May 29, but she confirmed an extension. "Right after this we're going to Europe, and then I'm coming back here and we're doing a big summer leg and changing up the tour a bit, changing up the show and hitting some cities we didn't hit before. After that we're going worldwide and doing a big tour."
Clarkson, with her days as a part-time Red Bull solicitor long behind her, said the toughest part of traveling and touring is keeping her pipes up in good shape. "The only problem is just singing so much. You have to shut up and that's really hard for me. I talk a lot," she laughed.
While she may have rested her vocal cords by playing some guitar on her last tour, Clarkson said she's not going to attempt that on this one. "I don't want to fake it until I'm really good," she said. "I'm practicing now on tour with my guitarist Danny [Weissfeld]. I don't want to be one of those people that I make fun of."
This report is from MTV News.

Kelly Clarkson becomes princess of pop
By Glenn Gamboa
STAFF WRITER
Thanks to both her nervous giggle and her "American Idol"-winning roar, Kelly Clarkson has gone from Burleson, Texas, waitress to promising pop star in three short years.
Until recently, the 23-year-old singer's rare ability to take someone else's song and take it over -- a skill needed both on "Idol," as well as the pop world, where songs from a variety of writers are thrown at young singers to turn into hits -- has brought her success.
Clarkson now seems poised to take that short-term victory and turn it into a long-term career as an artist, breaking away from her "Idol" past. On her current tour, she shows how far she has come.
Clarkson opened with "Since U Been Gone," the pop trifle from the Swedish hit factory of Backstreet Boys/ Britney Spears maestro Max Martin that she turned into a chart-topping smash by calling for loads of rock guitars to play off her powerful voice. Professional that she is, Clarkson pogoed and spun throughout the song, even though she stepped on some glass early in the song (the initial shock causing her to flub a line, though she quickly recovered) and a piece got embedded in her foot.
The injury and some recurring problems with her skirt -- which she, at times, held up to keep it from falling off -- didn't slow her down during the 75-minute set.
"I'm gonna rock out a bit so don't get scared," she said, before launching into a hard-edged, guitar-fueled version of the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)."
Clarkson rocked hard through new songs "Walk Away" and "Gone" from her "Breakaway" album, as well as a punk version of the "Idol" ballad "A Moment Like This" that sounded like a one-finger salute to Simon Cowell. Even some ballads, including "Addicted" (which Clarkson called "my favorite song I've ever written") and the new single "Because of You," have a dramatic rock edge to them, thanks in part to her collaboration with Ben Moody and David Hodges, formerly of Evanescence.
Her powerful version of "Breakaway" and a stripped-down "Beautiful Disaster" showed she still has one foot in the pop world, while her covers of Janis Joplin's "Piece of My Heart" and B.B. King's "The Thrill Is Gone" make it clear she's not ready to break with "Idol" world just yet.
Clarkson is still in transition, but her new rock ballad, "Dumped," answers any questions about her current direction.
Opener the Graham Colton Band shared Clarkson's nice-and-earnest rocker image, but lacks her star power. Their likable, but bland pop-rockers "Killing Me" -- which included some of Oasis' "Champagne Supernova" -- and "Cigarette" were catchy enough to win some love from the crowd. That could be due to the politeness of Clarkson's fans, though.
They're trying to be like their hero, after all, ready to break away, but not too far.
KELLY CLARKSON. Miss Independent, Miss Self- Sufficient becomes Princess of Pop. At Hammerstein Ballroom Wednesday with Graham Colton Band.

Kelly Clarkson Gets Real Wounds Acting Out Emotional Ones For New Video

Singer left 'Behind These Hazel Eyes' shoot with bruises all over her body.

by Carolyn E. Davis
Kelly Clarkson in the shoot for "Behind These Hazel Eyes" (RCA)
The fairy tale is over for Kelly Clarkson, at least in the video for the third single off Breakaway, "Behind These Hazel Eyes." If snipping a few dress straps in the "Since U Been Gone" clip seemed a radical display for that breakup power ballad, just hang on - there's some really ominous imagery going down in this one.
The single almost didn't make the album at all, according to Clarkson. "It had different lyrics in the beginning," she said. "I ended up calling Luke [Lukasz Gottwald], the writer, and we did a totally different song to it. It's now my favorite song on the record. Crappy relationships [make for] a good song."
The video was shot in Toronto in April with director Joseph Kahn (Britney Spears' "Toxic," Backstreet Boys' "Incomplete," U2's "Elevation"), with a concept conceived by Clarkson. It begins with her outside a cathedral wearing everyday clothing, then cuts to her performing in a shredded wedding dress. Following in the tradition of great wedding-dress wearers before her - think Sade, Gwen Stefani, Mariah Carey - she runs through a Tim Burton-esque forest filled with leaves.
Her memories begin to flash back as she performs, and the wind whips her hair around. Like a deteriorating old movie, the two periods of time collide, and we see a wedding party gathering at a cathedral. When the doors open, however, Clarkson looks down the aisle and sees her man marrying someone else. After she witnesses their vows sealed with a kiss, she escapes into the forest, branches snagging her dress until she falls into a muddy puddle. The dirt splashes on her face, and her eyes remain unmoving for a moment. Recovering her composure, she rejoins her band in the forest and rocks out.
By the end of the video she eliminates any chance of becoming a modern-day Miss Havisham. The wedding scene replays, but instead of saying "I do," she chucks the ring away, rips up the flowers and decorations and knocks down several groomsmen who try to stop her from fleeing the church.
Clarkson is well aware that this is her most intense video yet. "The whole thing is a metaphor about a broken fairy tale," she said. "You think everything is going well, and then reality kicks your butt. It's kind of a sad video, but it's going to be my best one. It's real, and that's why people like me."
Clarkson didn't know that acting out emotional wounds for the camera would result in some real ones. She left the shoot with bruises all over her body and still has a sizable green-and-yellow splotch on her left bicep. She says that even with iron supplements, she still bruises easily. "Look at that," she said, gesturing toward the mark. "It was so much worse - you have no idea."
She'll have to heal on the road, especially now that it looks like she'll be touring for a while longer (see "Kelly Clarkson Turns 23; Fans' Tour Wishes Come True"). Of course, touring has its own perils: At New York's Hammerstein Ballroom on Wednesday night, Clarkson danced barefoot onto a small piece of glass, dodged gifts being thrown on the stage and later battled the elastic waistband on her long hippie skirt. She thrilled the crowd with songs from Breakaway and Thankful and spoke about the possibilities for another emotional ride with her song "Because of You." That track will likely be her choice for the LP's next single.

CLARKSON BRUISED AFTER GRUELLING VIDEO SHOOT
Kelly Clarkson suffered for her art whilst shooting the video for her single BEHIND THESE HAZEL EYES - and left the set covered in bruises.

The sexy singer wanted the video - focusing on a wedding which goes horribly wrong - to be intense and physical in order to reflect the emotional anguish of the song, which she describes as a "broken fairy-tale".

But Clarkson was affected physically as well as mentally after the action-packed shoot - which features her running through the woods, fighting and falling over - started taking its toll on the star.

She explains, "The whole thing is a metaphor about a broken fairy tale - you think everything is going well, and then reality kicks your butt.

"It's a sad video, but it's going to be my best one. It's real, and that's why people like me."

But unfortunately the injuries she came away with were just as real.

She adds, gesturing to one of her bruises, "Look at that. It was so much worse you have no idea."

Kelly Clarkson Performs In Clemson
May 4, 2005, 03:46 PM
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Kelly Clarkson Performs In Clemson

There was a lot of excitement on the Clemson University campus, and it was all for the first American Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson. Some people drove hours to get to the concert, others came from Clemson, but everyone was pumped to see Kelly.

Sixteen-year-old Kelly Clarkson fan, Christy Nunn waited patiently to get inside to see Kelly and says, "I'm so excited, I'm ready to go."

Kelly Clarkson fans brought their t-shirts, signs and cheers to Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson.

According to 17-year-old Julie Kate Kenney, "I liked her when she first won American Idol, when she sang 'A Moment in Time,' that was beautiful."

Many fans became hooked on Kelly from her debut on American Idol.

"I watched the first one the most with Kelly and I was so excited," says Kelly fan, Allie Gray.

Others sort of stumbled into becoming a Kelly fan.

Beverly Robinson says, "I didn't know I was until I knew all the words to the songs and I found out it was Kelly."

And Andrea Leach agrees, "Mainly just hearing her on the radio, just got played over and over and finally it just got stuck in my head and all my friends got the cd's and listened to them."

Whatever the reason, they're thrilled to see the star live, and these girls were more than willing to drive all the way from Greenwood County.

According to Leslie Farmer, "We're just so excited to see Kelly Clarkson, we got tickets for my birthday and so then it was like four friends going and I was just so excited."

Gray was almost speechless talking about her excitement, "I'm so excited, I'm just like, I'm crazy, I'm pumped."

Kelly started the concert with one of her most popular songs right now, "Since You've Been Gone." The audience got a little treat as well, Kelly's family was at the show cheering her on, along with her fans.

© 2005 FOX Carolina | WHNS-TV. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Original Posting Date: Tuesday, May 3, 2005

Kelly Clarkson Says She was on "Ghetto Idol"

May 4, 2005 - TeenHollywood.com

In an interview with "Access Hollywood," pop star Kelly Clarkson says
that in she "was on 'Ghetto Idol'" in comparison with today's "American
Idol." The interview airs on "Access Hollywood," Wednesday, May 4,
2005.

"I was on 'Ghetto Idol,'" said Clarkson. "We didn't have any of the
stuff they have now."

The pop star also says when it came to fashion, she and her fellow
"American Idol" contestants had to fend for themselves. "We went
shopping on our own," she said. "They dropped us off at the mall...you
know we did our best but good Lord, I know I didn't do well. I'm not
good with clothes at all."

When it comes to marriage and kids, the newly blonde Clarkson says that
she's in no rush to go down that road. "I'm young, I'm living it up
right now," she said. "So I'll leave the marriage thing to the
veterans, Britney (Spears) and Jessica (Simpson) and all of them. They
can get married and have kids, and I'll wait."




Kelly is on the list of Teen People's 8th Annual 25 Hottest Stars Under 25 List! The list includes the hottest stars in music, TV and film and Kelly has made the cut! The issue has Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen on the cover and hits newstands Friday!




Kelly's album, "Breakaway", dropped one spot this week on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart from #13 to #14, despite a 3% sales gain. Kelly's hit album sold another 48,964 copies this week, bringing its overall total so far to 2,003,661.
Congratulations on surpassing the two million mark, Kell!




http://www.accesshollywood.com/slideshow/e...ment&dm=ss&tn=b Access Hollywood Slideshow Of Behind These Hazel Eyes

Press Release Source: TEEN PEOPLE

TEEN PEOPLE's Annual 25 Hottest Stars Under 25
Thursday May 5, 10:00 am ET
The 'It List' of the Youngest, Biggest Names in Film, TV and Music
From Britney to Ashlee, Justin to Jesse, Olsens to the O.C.
All Dazzle in TEEN PEOPLE's June/July Issue Out May 6

NEW YORK, May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- TEEN PEOPLE's 25 Hottest Stars Under 25, hitting stands Friday, May 6 is the eighth annual installment of the guide to the hottest top young stars in film, TV and music. From Justin to Jesse McCartney; Jessica Simpson to Jessica Alba; the Olsens to the O.C., this issue of TEEN PEOPLE has the most comprehensive look at the Hollywood hot shots and top musical acts everyone is - or will be - talking about.

This year's TEEN PEOPLE 25 Hottest Stars Under 25 are (alphabetically):

Alicia Keys, 25 Hayden Christensen, 24* Kirsten Dunst, 23
Ashlee Simpson, 20 Hilary Duff, 17 Lindsay Lohan, 19
Avril Lavigne, 23 Jake Gyllenhaal, 24 Lords of Dogtown*
Britney Spears, 23 Jesse McCartney, 18* The Olsens, 19
Chad Michael Murray, 23 Jessica Alba, 24 Natalie Portman, 24
Ciara, 19* Jessica Simpson, 24 The O.C.
Destiny's Child Justin Timberlake, 24 Paris Hilton, 24*
Elijah Wood, 24* Kelly Clarkson, 23* Scarlett Johansson, 20
T.I., 24*

AIN'T SHE SWEET?


Kelly has donated two pairs of meet and greet passes to Sweet Relief, which is a charity that is "committed to helping musicians suffering from a full range of illnesses, disabilities and health conditions."
By clicking here you can place a bid through eBay for meet and greet passes for either Kelly's Seattle, WA show on May 26 or the Portland, OR show on May 28.
Use the above link so that you can learn more about Sweet Relief, place your bids to help out a good cause, and meet Kelly as an added bonus!
Below is the official press release sent to us by Ngoc from Sweet Relief:
KELLY CLARKSON TICKETS TO BE AUCTIONED
FOR SWEET RELIEF
LOS ANGELES, CA, April 28, 2005 - Two tickets for
Kelly Clarkson's sold-out concert at the Paramount
Theatre in Seattle, Washington on Thursday, May 26,
2005, are up for auction on Ebay at
www.ebay.com/sweetrelief. The tickets also include two
meet-and-greet passes to meet Clarkson. The auction
ends Sunday, May 8, 2005 at 12:45 p.m. PDT.
This auction was sanctioned by Kelly Clarkson, and all
proceeds go to the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund. Sweet
Relief was founded in 1994 by Victoria Williams to
provide assistance to all types of career musicians
who are struggling to make ends meet while facing
illness, disability, or age-related problems. It is
funded by the music community and a variety of
individual donors, as well as through benefit
concerts, auctions and albums. For more information on
the organization, please visit www.sweetrelief.org.
For more information on the auction and other auctions
made available through the organization, please
contact Julie Klabin, Auctions Director, at
818.563.5140 or auctions@sweetrelief.org.
http://members.ebay.com/ws2/eBayISAPI.dll?...efmusiciansfund




TEEN PEOPLE ON STANDS TODAY
Today is the day you can pick up the issue of Teen People with the 25 Hottest Stars Under 25 list in it, which includes Kelly!
To read more about this issue before hitting the newsstands, you can visit TeenPeople.com where the stars are posted, as well as flipbooks of photos of those on the list. To see the flipbook that includes Kelly's pictures, you can click here.
Congratulations to Kelly on being chosen for this list! Fans, make sure to head out to your local stores and grab a copy of Teen People today!
http://www.teenpeople.com/teenpeople/galle...055950,00.shtml

CLARKSON BRUISED AFTER GRUELLING VIDEO SHOOT

KELLY CLARKSON suffered for her art whilst shooting the video for her single BEHIND THESE HAZEL EYES - and left the set covered in bruises.

The sexy singer wanted the video - focusing on a wedding which goes horribly wrong - to be intense and physical in order to reflect the emotional anguish of the song, which she describes as a "broken fairy-tale".

But Clarkson was affected physically as well as mentally after the action-packed shoot - which features her running through the woods, fighting and falling over - started taking its toll on the star.

She explains, "The whole thing is a metaphor about a broken fairy tale - you think everything is going well, and then reality kicks your butt.

"It's a sad video, but it's going to be my best one. It's real, and that's why people like me."

But unfortunately the injuries she came away with were just as real.

She adds, gesturing to one of her bruises, "Look at that. It was so much worse you have no idea."
http://www.contactmusic.com/new/artist.nsf...elly%20clarkson

I just saw Kelly's "Behind These Hazel Eyes" music video and I was blown away by it. Kelly looked extremely beautiful!!!!!!! The video was awesome and Kelly was amazingly incredible.