Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist - Kelly Clarkson

Episode Date: September 13, 2020

Kelly Clarkson won the first season of American Idol nearly 18 years ago, and since then she has sold more than 45 million albums and won 3 Grammy Awards with her powerful voice. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the singer to talk about her transition into hosting a daytime talk show, her new music, and what life has been like during quarantine. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey guys, Willie Geist here with another edition of the Sunday Sit Down podcast. My thanks, as always, for clicking and listening along. We've got a brand new one for you. Another virtual conversation over Zoom this week with Grammy winner Kelly Clarkson. Now, Kelly, as you probably know by now, is one of the most charming and dynamic human beings currently striding the earth. So even over Zoom, the conversation was crackling. It was funny. She is just open and honest about every. She's got the talk show, the Kelly Clarkson show, which debuted this time last year, stepped into a world which is very difficult to succeed in. That is daytime talk. You'll hear her discuss that she was glad she didn't know how hard it was. She kind of went in blind and said, I'm just going to be myself. Not only did it succeed, but she won the Emmy in her first year out for best talk show host. So she's got that.

She's a natural for that. She can talk to people. She can communicate with people. She strips it all away and she's honest, as you will hear in our conversation. So we talk about the show. We talk about life in quarantine. She's got two young children, as many of you may know, she announced in June that after nearly seven years of marriage, she and her husband were divorcing.

She talks about that too. And in fact, she's working on a new album that's going to reflect what she's been going through in her personal life over the last six months or so. So there's a lot to talk about with Kelly Clarkson, 18 years now, after she's, became the first ever winner of American Idol. That's not always easy to win one of those shows. And she's spun it into an amazing career, an amazing life. And it's because of who she is. And I think you'll hear it all right now. She also talks about the upcoming season 19, where she is a coach on the voice. She's getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She's got so much going on. As you listen to us talk over Zoom, I'm in my house.

She is in her house. She's sitting in the library. I gave her a little grief because she's kind of framed her shot with two of her MTV video music awards over her shoulders. And she said she's always very careful not to be that person with all the Grammys and the trophies over her shoulder. She's self-conscious, but she swears she just uses the two moon men as bookend. She's very proud of them, but she has them beautifully framing a couple of her books. So listen now, get comfortable for a great conversation with Kelly Clarkson on the Sunday Sit Down podcast. Kelly, thanks for doing this. Great to see you.

It is lovely to see you as well, Willie. So we were just talking about, I think, you've been very busy during quarantine. You say not so busy, but I'm looking at the list, rapping the Kelly Clarkson show, starting a new season of it, rapping the voice, starting a new season of it. You're getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You're releasing a new single. You've got a lot going on right now.

Yes. I mean, I will say, like, during the pandemic, when I was in Montana, when we were in Montana, that got really busy. and hard. But that's because we had like crap Wi-Fi for the longest time. Like there was, it was, it was really difficult to do, to work from there. Because that was supposed to be our place of like leisure, like, you know, play and our families like get away from work. So it didn't work out. So, but anyway, so by the time I got back to L.A., though, like, especially the last month I've had like a little bit more controlled my schedule to where I'm really like adamant about,

you know, we have a week off, you know, generally every month and I, and usually I, I work normal hours, you know, with the TV show like normal mom and dad hours, you know. So it looks busy on paper, but this woman to the left of me right here, Trisha Farrow, like, makes my schedule work. And it's not, I don't know, I'm well rested. I'm, I feel really good. And I still get a lot of like really good time with my kids, like quality. So it's been really good. I know it looks like a lot on paper vibe. I kind of had four jobs. I was talking to somebody about this yesterday. I can't remember what job was at. But anyway, I was talking to somebody about yesterday. And I was like, I've kind of always had a lot of jobs. So, oh, it was Dennis Quay. I had Dennis Quaid on my show. It was on the TV show.

And we were both talking. We're both from Texas. And he was like, I've always kind of had a lot of things going on. And I was like, me too. And everybody always thinks it's like a lot. But it's not for me because ever since I was like 16, I've had like a plethora of jobs at once, never just like one. You know how you know when you have a lot of jobs when you can't remember which one you were at yesterday. You were at? Yeah, I was like, where was I yesterday? Because the next one is the voice. So I was like, I know they're always changing. But honestly, I was telling you this before we start an interview. That's what's kind of great about my life. And everybody always sees like there's a lot going on. But I'm actually great. I'm ADHD. It's very great that it's broken up. Like, it's not like just so monotonous, like in the same thing every day. I literally will go from doing the talk show for a few days, then doing the voice a couple days, then recording either from my record or I'm doing some Christmas stuff that's coming. out this year. So it's always different. So I thrive on that. So when you finally got to chill a little bit in Montana with the kids, you didn't chill in Montana at all. So what did you guys get up to out there? No, I was working almost the entire time. That's why it turned into like, wait, this is supposed to be

like our place, our sanctuary. And just because of the pandemic, you know, we didn't have any idea what was going to happen. But we were like, well, we're in a big, we live in a big city. So why don't we just go escape to the ranch whatever, which was kind of a bad idea because we didn't actually have a house on the ranch. So, you know, that, yeah, it was a lot. So, it was, no, we, we Airbnb this, like, little cabin next to our ranch. So it was like, you know, right down the road for our ranch. But it was like, there was a lot of us in one cabin where the bathroom would break. And then we finally moved into this other place, like on the ranch that I got. And then the washer and dryer broke. And I was like, like, old school doing hanging laundry outside.

and then it was flying away with the wind because it's the windiest place ever into the woods. Yeah, it was just literally like Murphy's Law. What can and will go wrong did. That's real ranch living though. You're out doing the clothes in the river and hanging them up on the line. Which, by the way, I'm actually fine with

if that's what you're doing, not on top of like trying to help my nanny help keep up with all the schooling while I'm doing work every day. Like it was a lot. So we didn't really, Usually, you know, that was supposed to be like our, you know, getaway. And, you know, we didn't get to get away really there.

But it was kind of really cool, though, to be, I got a lot of fans, like, saying, oh, my God, thank you for showing, you know, where you're at. We're all trapped inside this apartment in New York or whatever. And, like, it's just nice to see, like, trees and, like, whatever. And, you know, I would do, you know, I'd be by, like, a little stream or whatever. And people would be like, it was just fun and nice to, like, live through the videos. So, well, it looked like it was just amazing. amazing and so fun to everybody for their escapism.

I was literally like, when can we go back to L.A. to work? Because it was, it was really hard. How did the kids do through all this? Did they enjoy being out there? I mean, they enjoyed it. I mean, we'd go on walks, which was cool. But, I mean, they were going, I guess it's hard to complain because it's not like we were stuck inside. They had, like, land to go, you know, around on.

But, you know, there are doubt. was off, you know, doing something or working, and then I was off working. So they, and she was in school still River. And so our 13 year old Seth. And then, I mean, it was just every, you know, just as much as everybody else went kind of stir crazy in the house. Like, it was really hard to get all the kids. No school was prepared for what just, you know, what had happened. So it was just kind of like, so, but we did get to get out and, you know, drive them around the land for it and see, you know, we have like bears on our land and, and, you know, there's, we didn't see any wolves. But you can see on our cams like my husband's a hundred so he has those like cam cameras up or whatever everywhere

they're called something i don't know whatever and um trail cams there you go yeah a little motion capture there you go yeah for 500 Alex um yes so anyway so you can see like there's wolves on the property like mountain lions like it's it's a beautiful piece of property but we we did work most of the time so yeah and and we were talking about as we come back now for the second season of the kelly Clarkson show. Yeah. You are Emmy winning host of the Kelly Clarkson show. Congratulations. Thank you. I was shocked and I've got to tell you how I found out. I, you know, all award shows have been weird in the pandemic. And well, my life has been a little different the last couple months, obviously. And there's just a lot going on. So, you know, if I'm not working, I'm 100% just with my kids.

It's like we're coloring, we're doing a craft, we're playing with Legos, we're having dance parties. You know, it's all just about my kids when I'm not working. And because I'm kind of a single parent now at my house. So anyway, I was so in tune with them that I totally forgot that the Emmys are on. Because I'm not, one, I'm not used to being involved in it. And it was my first year. And I was, and it just kind of was an odd time.

Nobody, everything was different and not run normally. And usually you're at it if you're nominated. So anyway, in my defense, all of that, I'm sitting there playing with Legos of my kids and putting some kind of Star Wars thing together. And my producer, my executive producer, Alex calls me and is like, you are the best host. And I was like, thank you. And I was having kind of a hard week. And I literally almost started crying because I was like, this is just the nicest thing to call someone out of nowhere and just be kind.

And she was like, no, no, no, no, no. you won the Emmy for Outstanding. And I was like, what? And I was, and I totally forgot. And my kids are like, what's happening, Mommy? And I was like, Mommy won an award. Like for the show you come to and they start screaming and Legos are flying. And anyway, I just, it was the funniest way to find out, though, because I thought Alex

just calling me to be like, you are the best host. And I was like, thank you. I feel like that's perfect for you, though, the right amount of humility. You forgot it was even happening. You're focused on your kids. And boom, here comes an Emmy. Yeah, I was really, and it sounds like I didn't care, but that was not it. I just, you know, our family, we're going through a divorce right now.

So it's kind of, I'm hyper-focused on my children and making sure, you know, my husband's been through a divorce with his family, a couple. I've been through a couple with mine. So it was, you know, as children, we get it. And so I'm hyper-focused on them right now. I mean, we always have been when we're not at work. But even more so, I don't want to be the parent on the phone. I don't want to be the parent, you know, doing something else.

I totally forgot. And no one reminded me in my defense. Everybody else forgot too, apparently. You know, it's amazing if you think about it. If we were sitting here together a year ago and you were just embarking on this crazy idea to host a daytime talk show, we had no idea how it was going to turn out.

You've never done anything like it before. Is it wild to you that only one year in you've had so much success already? Absolutely. And I was saying this to you too before we started the interview, but ignorance is bliss for me. Like I, no one really told me. Like, I didn't know, like, stats of, like, how daring it kind of was to do this and, like,

how most of the time it doesn't work out. Like, I didn't know all of that. I literally came into this blindly. And, like, I guess I'll, you know, like, I'm sure people are wanting me to do it, I guess. Like, and I like talking, so, and I like people. And we, you know, included music, which is obviously really important to me. So I don't know, I kind of at this stage in my career, like, I kind of just do things I want to do just to try out. And like, if it doesn't succeed, whatever, I've had like these huge years in my career that, you know, I'm super blessed for.

And, you know, I literally was just talking about this and with my glam, my glam squad before this. And I was like, you have, you know, I feel so blessed. Like everything else is just like a cherry on top and you just do it because you want to be surrounded by people you love. You want to love what you do, you know. And so it was, I really went into it like very ignorant. Like I had no idea of how risky it might be or whatever. So, but I think that if you do what you, you love and if you surround yourself with people, it doesn't really matter.

Yes, it's successful, but I'm having fun and that's success. Like, you know, I enjoy what I do. And I had many jobs before being on idol, like many. And I did not love them. And so I'm very appreciative for, you know, just still being able to do it. This, I literally, this has been 18 years since Idle. So it's, you know, it's, it's been a really cool ride. Does it feel to you as natural as it looks watching?

Because for most people, I think there'd be an adjustment period. This isn't something I've done before. I've got to talk to camera. I have to sit and navigate guests and sing a song at the top. Obviously, that comes naturally. But did you feel comfortable right away doing it because it looked that way? I did. And I think it's because.

you know, I know, American Idol was such a blessing for me in many different ways. But I've always been like in theater and like on stage. And I grew up in musical theater doing opera, like singing. I would in church like all that kind of stuff. I've always grown up on stage. That wasn't weird for me. But I think though, because of Idol too, like we didn't have an audience that first season. We had to perform to the camera.

So they always are big thing that they kept telling us was find the red light. You know, because that's the one on you or whatever. So make sure you're playing to the red light. So I mean, even from being on Idol. and doing those interviews and everything kind of blowing up that first season and us getting like run around ragged. Like nobody knew what was happening. I think that was a really good like, I don't know, just kind of like a crash course and like, you know, during being on TV and everything.

And it just happened so fast for me that like, I don't know. I looked at my producer and my assistant and my husband, you know, at the time. And I was like, is it weird that that felt normal? Like after the pilot. Like I was like, is it weird that that wasn't weird? Like, and everybody was like, no, it just, you made it conversational. And I think I just genuinely love talking to people. And I love connecting.

And that's our whole thing. And I did tell them with the show, I was like, it's going to have to be me. I don't want to like fit into some kind of formula. Like it's, you're going to have to play off of who I am or it's not going to work. Right. Like it's, you know, so says working in the industry for 20 years. When you start to stray from something that's really, you know, organically, I don't feel like it ends up working well in the end.

And so, you know, I wanted the show to be like who I am. I like connecting with people. I like a lot of like heart stories, but I also like to laugh and make fun of myself. Self-deprecation is like my favorite. So I, you know, and I wanted music to be involved. So I think from the very beginning we made sure to be, you know, to be a good example of like who I am as a person. And we leaned into that.

So and who knows? Everybody's like, oh, it's so successful right now. I mean, who knows, like, what it will be. You know, could not be in a couple years. But I'm doing what I love. So I think that's what matters. Well, if it wasn't successful, they wouldn't give me a second season. And you definitely wouldn't have one of an Emmy.

So I think you're doing okay. I think you're doing all right right now. But you never know, Willie. I don't know. Looking on the dark side. I love it. So what would you say is the guiding philosophy of the show? Like you talked a little bit about it, but like that first meeting, here's what I want it to be.

Here's what I want to get across. because to me, you strip everything away, not just from yourself, but from your guest where they feel like, I'm going to tell Kelly this story. I might not tell somebody else. Or I'm going to talk about this dark period in my life or this thing that I'm going through. So what did you say to your producers when you started? Yeah. It's funny. I walked into this first meeting about possibly doing the talk show. And I was telling them, like, it's got to be transparent. Like, I want us to lean into me and not in a formula if we're going to do it. Like, I think that's the only way it's going to work.

And they agreed. They loved involving the music because I was like, I think it should start out with like music because I'm a musician. So and that's how people will know me. And it's kind of different from everybody else and they love that. And then they had this big giant board with all these bubbles on it. And all the bubble. I mean like literally like 100 bubbles. And on all the bubbles it said like, you know, things to talk about like subjects like, you know, whatever they were like, oh, politics or love or, you know, I can't even remember what all the bubbles have, but all the bubbles were all these, like, kind of things, like subjects I might be comfortable with or not comfortable with talking on the show. And they were like, yeah, so if you could just tell us the ones that you're comfortable with or the ones that you're not, and I was like, well, we can talk about them all.

And they were like, what? And I was like, well, why, what's up there that's so taboo? That, like, why wouldn't you talk about it all? Like, I mean, they had everything up there, you know, sex. Like, it was all these things. And I was like, well, I don't know if people know this, but I have two children, so I definitely have had sex. And it's like, why is, why is all this so taboo?

Like, why can't you talk about all of it? And they were like, well, you can. We just didn't know that you'd be comfortable. And I was like, look, this show, like, if you want people to come on the show and, like, you said, really be willing to open up about depression or things in their life that are, you know, deep or whatever, or be able to break down those walls of, like, being so serious and be able to be funny, then I've got to be willing to do. that and well, I am because that's just my whole career. So I don't know. I was like,

let's talk about all the bubbles and, you know, we can involve it all. I mean, everybody's sitting at home, we might all be on different paths, but we all have the same issues regardless of what it is. Like, you know, there might be different circumstances, but we all want to be love and accepted and, you know, we all fear things. We all, you know, strive to do things and they don't work out all the time. Like, you know, I just think you have to be vulnerable. Um, and that's the kind of show we have. It's vulnerable. It's about connecting people. And I feel like we're really super divided. I mean, I think there's not everybody, but I feel like what the news is showing us is that we are definitely super divided. And, um, and I don't want that. I think, you know, I'm from a world, you know,

that is very different from the world I live in now, but I'm still the same person. So I, I, I don't find, like when people are like, oh, well, you change. Well, I haven't changed. I'm exactly the same. And I'm from that area that you're talking about. And there are people on every side of the, you know, whatever pasture you're in or whatever fence you're talking about. I do think that there are more commonalities between us than there are differences.

And so that connection is a huge thing for our show. And having representation and inclusivity, like all of that is really important. And it's second nature for me because I'm a musician. So everybody on the road with me for years, like on tour, we are very different. And we just happen to have this talent that puts us in this group together. And I think that's why, you know, people get tired of the entertainment industry, like talking about, you know, politics or whatever it is. And it's like, but it's kind of the artistic community in general, whether it's in the limelight or not, is a really great base of like all these different people from all different parts of the world that come together. And it's really about something bigger than us.

And we really are the vessel for something big. And I think that there is some weight to that. And a mindset that is obviously, you know, a little more intuitive of maybe looking past the differences and finding the commonalities. And I don't mean that in celebrity world. I mean that in the artistic world. Right.

You know, for the art teacher in, you know, my hometown, she might be a little bit more progressive in her thought and open And just because of the state of her mind and her heart most times because she's a creator. So, you know, that's where philosophers, you know, step in and creative people. And so I wanted to be able to represent that, but also be a great escapism, also be entertaining and all of that in the show. You don't strike. You don't strike me. In fact, I know this.

You're not someone who calculates, okay, if I speak out on this or if I go on my talk show and I talk about Black Lives Matter, whatever it is, I may lose these fans over here. You don't seem to me as someone who really runs that through her processor before she speaks. No, and I mean, I run that through like a process of my brain of like what's respectful. Absolutely. But like I think Jason Isbell, this artist, I literally started following him on Twitter because of this post because somebody that I followed. I think it might have been married more. Somebody that I follow or whatever reposted it on Twitter.

And it was literally what I say all the time, not in his exact words, but it was the mentality of it. And he said, somebody had said, you're going to lose a lot of fans from saying something, you know, saying Black Lives Matter or saying whatever he was saying. And he was like, I might lose, you know, fans, but I get to keep my whole soul. And it's like, and it was like very telling because it was like, that's what we meet. It's like there's, there's nothing that I say. I think that you should be open. I think that you should, I mean, are we not supposed to speak up for people that are being taken advantage of? Are we not supposed?

I mean, I was taught that from childhood. Like, even in church, like, I was taught that. You speak up for the ones who can't speak for themselves sometimes. You stand up for those who can't stand sometimes. And that's literally has been ingrained in me from Sunday school. You know, so I don't know. I'm never going to, I'm never going to regret saying something. something that is, you know, true to my heart and true to my core and my, my person. And I feel like

I'm the person that, I mean, we all make mistakes. I'm sure, like in our career is like saying things that maybe we're like, well, maybe that was taken in a wrong way or maybe I was being too funny or something, but, um, or being sarcastic or whatever. But for the most part, I feel like most the time, I'm your average mom at home. Like I'm not, I know like people like, oh, well, you're in the line. Like you're, there's not average. But I really am. Like, like, I really am. Like I don't hang out with celebrities. I don't, I'm not in that world. I'm the girl that takes her kids to school in the morning and goes to work.

I'm the girl that cares about her kids education. I'm the girl that cares about having these little adults that I'm, or little humans that I'm wanting to be a, you know, respectful, kind, loving adults. And those are the three words I use in my household all the time of my kids. And, you know, at the end of the day, that's where we're all similar, you know. And I have the same kind. of struggle with my jobs and the same kind of struggle with relationships and that everybody else has.

It's just in a different, you know, circumstance. And I don't know, I'm pretty normal. I just have an abnormal life. Right. Well, that's the appeal of you and of your show because people connect with that, I think. And you're also living proof that speaking out has not hurt you. You've got 15 jobs. You got an Emmy. You got a moon man over your shoulder. You got another one behind your head that you're showing off. I mean, it's amazing. They're bookends. I never show, Willie, I hate you. I never show awards on anything, but I had to do it because there's people in my house and I'm in my library. Nobody comes in the library at my house. So no one sees the awards. But like you have to be proud of them, but like you want to put them where maybe not everybody is going to go. And that's very smart strategy to use them as bookends, you know? It's too late. It's too late. I use them as bookends because you're using them. I feel like you're respecting. the award you're respecting the moment but it's kind of buried in with like you know to where it's not so obvious yes i think that's very smart i think it's very smart my i have the family that will

walk right into my house and be like great award like they'll humble you real quick as soon as you win something they're like you're cool great like it's like it's like they crap on it as soon as you win it that's what family's for right no one's there so obviously nothing is cool This season, Kelly, of the show is going to be different for all the obvious reasons that all of our lives and our jobs are different in terms of not having a live audience. So what's that show going to look like when we tune in this season? You know, it's actually, it's pretty cool. I mean, I have been blown away by my team at the talk show by my team at the voice that I work with. Like, it's really cool and different.

We have a complete live virtual audience from like all over the world. That's what's kind of cool about it is that my whole show has been like about connection and even before the pandemic, we were always going remote to like different parts of the nation and also across the world. And so it's kind of cool. It's just the same philosophy,

which is now we're actually getting because of how we're having to do the show. Literally there's like giant screens and in each screen, the audience is still in all the seats. And there's people from the UK, people from South Carolina, people from, like it's just like all over the place. Yeah, so we're kind of embracing and leaning into it. And that was my team that came up with that whole thing.

And I don't know that it's been done quite like this, how you're going to see it on the show. Because also we're having, you know, the whole show has been about celebrities, non-celebrities, like human interest stories, but also entertaining or entertainment, like with people performing. It's been like that. But now it's really cool because, you know, you'll have celebrities. It's a little weird because we all have to be like six to eight feet apart or something like that. But so it's like everyone's spread out. But there are people in studio, celebrities, not celebrities that come in.

But then we also still have the panel form. And just like how the audience, the virtual audience is in the each individual screen. They're all live. So are some of the guests. Oh, cool. So it's all kind of this roundtable. Yeah. So it's really cool like how it's happening.

And also it's cool because we're getting, you know, we just had somebody from the Walking Dead. Well, they're shooting it in Atlanta. and usually you'd have to wait until they could be there in person. Well, what's awesome about this new way is we can still interview anyone in the world, even if they're on set, because of how we're doing it right now. And we just set them up live, like they're sitting right next to me. And it feels like still like it's a conversation and there's still a panel.

Everybody's still talking. And it's really, really cool. The connection is key. And that's what the show's been about. So it was really cool that we just, you know, everybody's kind of navigating how to achieve what your initial goal was. your format. Everyone's trying to achieve that. You know, even on the voice,

it's, we have a live virtual audience. It's not as interactive as the talk show just because it, because the main point of the show is the talent. But it's interesting because all these singers are coming out and singing too literally for people.

Like it's just us coaches, which I think makes people more nervous. For sure. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I mean, you can hear a pin drop. Like it's,

there's no audience, like they can't make noise until the end. and then they are interactive. So it's been really interesting and kind of really cool to just lean into the moment. Do you feel like you've learned things from season one, Kelly, that will help you in season two or maybe you'll do something differently in terms of your own performance? Or do you feel like just going to be me and keep doing what I do? I mean, the latter, like just keeping me and do what I do.

But also, it's like a first season again because it's different. Like, you know what I'm saying? Everything I learned last season. And then it ended with me and Montana going live, you know, making it for the voice. I was going live for the voice and like making all these videos on this ranch. And like, you know, the whole first season was like, you know, it ended like this. So, you know, it's this season is now completely different. Like it's the same principles, the same philosophy that the show has.

And we're definitely achieving that because I have an awesome team. But it's still, it's a different thing. So it's almost like a whole new. first time, you know? Yeah, I mean, it's, we've done some of that too. And I've actually found, like you said, you can get to people that you might otherwise not have gotten to by flipping open a computer. And there you are in your living room.

And do you feel like sometimes I feel people are like some people, especially actors, I've noticed, they can get more like, like, because I meet people generally before, well, I did last season before they come out, I go by all the rooms. I love that Jay Leno did that. Yes. And that was my favorite things at his show. I did that for my show until COVID. And anyway, I would always go there and everybody would be kind of chill and then they'd come out.

And it's like the lights came on and they became a little more like serious. And I was like, what just happened? Yeah. So what's funny, though, is when you do it like this. So some of the people that are zooming in, you'd think that you'd lose the connection. You actually gain a lot more sometimes because their walls are down. They're in their comfort of their own environment. Like, I don't know.

Absolutely. Absolutely. You're in your house right now. A lot of people have slippers and jeans on. Their dogs are at their feet or their kids are running around. It's more human. My dog is right here. See?

There you go. I have workout pants and Nike's on. It's business on top, party on the bottom brother. And yeah, it's awesome. But you're right about that. I'll do a sit-down interview. Not with you because you're you. But like, and before we start, we'll be sitting in the chairs and talking like you and I are talking.

And then when they say, okay, everybody quiet, turn off your phones. It's like, whoosh. And it's like, wait a minute, we were just talking one minute ago. So you're right. There is that wall. It's almost like a wall of fear. I don't know if people feel like they won't be taken seriously. If they, I don't know what it is, but it's like this, it's interesting.

I've never, I've never witnessed it until this job. Hey, guys, thanks for listening to the Sunday Sit Down podcast. Stick around to hear more from Kelly Clarkson right after the break. Welcome back to the Sunday Sit Down podcast. Now more of my conversation with Kelly Clarkson. I've taken way too much your time. So I just want to ask you quickly about the voice as well, coming back for another season in October. How fun has that experience been for you?

Because it's just so fun to watch the group of you do what you do. Willie, it is the coolest part of my career in this, musically speaking, because, you know, literally 18 years ago this month, like I ended up winning American Idol 18 years ago. And it changed my life. and I'm super blessed for it because, I mean, I feel like I'm special. My mom tells me, but we're all special, right? Like, you know what I'm saying?

Like, everybody can, there's a lot of people that can sing and do what I do. And I really did. I work hard, but it's also some luck in there, too. So, you know, I, it's nothing, there's nothing cooler than, you know, I'm about to record a song with Jake Hoot, who won my last season that I won. And for his record and Bryn's record, my first season winner is doing so, like, her record is going to be so incredible. It sounds so good.

And Chavelle's releasing stuff. It's all being able to work with these artists that were me, you know, and really try and give them all the opportunities that I was, you know, given is really cool. And, you know, I don't know if it was Gwinter John. Somebody pointed out in the blinds this season that we shot for season 19 coming up. We're lucky because we get live music. And we're there in person. and not everybody gets that right now.

Right. That's right. Yeah, it's been a really cool thing. And the talent this season, I don't know if everybody, like, people lost their jobs. They're like, well, I guess I'll try singing. I don't know what's happening or they've just been at home practicing. Like, this season is filled with so much talent.

Like, it's going to suck because everybody gets cut in half, like right in the beginning. And then they get cut again. And it's like, there are going to be so many talented people that go home. But it's a really cool thing for me specifically being having been one of them and being able to to show them what, you know, is you're capable of and what the possibilities are and what the end of the tunnel could be. You know, so I love it. I love being a part of the voice. That empathy comes through knowing that you were on that stage 18 years ago. You know exactly what it means to stand up there.

So I've talked to a few musicians like this over quarantine and they seem to be split into. I want to get back out on the road. I miss the fans. I miss my band. Also, the other side of it is I'm enjoying the rest. I've been on the road for 20 years or whatever it is. Are you anxious to get back out there? Are you anxious to get new music out, put out a new album?

Oh, my gosh. Well, I'm kind of in a unique position. So I get the desire to get out and feel that audience, whatever. But I also am lucky enough, like, I sing every day on my show. Right. And, you know, there's a crew there. There's a live audience there and it's virtual, but they're there. And you can hear them and they're feeding off of the moment.

And so I get that a little bit as a musician. And also the voice, I still get to, you know, I sing with my artists. I get to really be creative with them. I just finished doing, you know, battles with the rehearsals and stuff. And I get that part of it. And then also, I mean, it's no secret. My life has been a little bit. bit of a dumpster the last like personally like it's like a little hard so the last a couple months

and and you know life happens and and that's definitely I've been working on my next record I it's funny I was working on my next record beforehand it obviously changed a bit um because I'm an artist and a lot of that um the the times I write most of my career are the times when I'm going through something and I need to get it out it's my outlet um So, yeah, this next record, this will probably be the most personal one I've ever released. You know, there's some fun stuff. There's some, you know, dark comedy in there. You're like taking, you know, jabs at my life.

It's like, you have to laugh. Or you cry a lot, Willie. So there's some sensitive moments. And the whole record is basically every emotion you experience in every part, you know, from the beginning of a relationship. to the end of what it is now or where it is now. And it's that whole arc is there. And it's been very therapeutic for me.

I've been talking to friends that have been through divorce or, you know, or grief at any sense, losing someone. It's like you've lost someone. Yes. And it's, you know, going through that. I don't know how people go through that without having some kind of outlet because it is the worst thing ever, you know, for everyone involved. and watching your kids as well.

So the whole next record is definitely just the arc of how beautiful it can be in the beginning parts and all those little reminders of that. And then during a relationship and then towards the end of it, it's all kind of there. And I don't know, I feel like at this point I've learned in my career, like I'm the vessel for messages. It's not only therapeutic for me, but I kind of feel like I can't wait to like connect with fans that have gone through the same thing.

They're like, oh my gosh, I needed this record that I love when I put out music. And I know that like when I release it, I'm like, okay, this might not be a huge successful thing, but it's going to reach someone out there that's been going through the same moment that I have. And that kind of connection is priceless because there's nothing worse than feeling alone and on an island in such despair sometimes. So, you know, and you just feel lost. So I'm looking forward to releasing it and, you know, just connecting with people on that level.

So, but yeah, the record's going to come out next year and I'm definitely been working on it. I actually have a couple of Christmas things dropping, too, that were very random, a duet with Brett Eldridge, who I love. And that I wrote. And then cover song. So it's like an A.B. side thing that's coming out for Christmas because I think right now fans were always, they've been asking, can you just drop anything? Like everyone's sad. Everyone's like feeling it. Like can you do like the world is gone to crap?

Like can you just release something? And so I've worked on a couple things to release for Christmas until I could get the album out. So just give them something a little bit here and there. But that's a cool thing about being in the artistic world is you get to maybe bring a little bit of sunshine or distraction or hope, you know, in a time where you need it most. Well, you're talking about this new album and getting out everything going on in your personal. life and it being therapeutic. I started thinking about those 100 bubbles on your talk show. So is that the kind of thing you'll talk about? Is that a new bubble for the talk show? Very good metaphor. Really. Nice callback. Yes. No, it's definitely every single bubble. And it's done not in a like,

it's not a record that's like, you know, the whole thing isn't just like, like, you know, angry or some kind of angsty record. The whole record is, I'm a 38 year old, 30 year old woman. So it's like it's literally the arc. I mean, I'm, you know, smart enough and wise enough at this point in my career to to really show all of it, like, you know, my shortcomings or my desires and hopes in what I thought was. And it's very, it's very honest. And there are, you know, obviously the songs where I'm, you know, it didn't work out and it sucks. And you're, you know, and it's, you're honest about that moment, whether it's in a, you know, you're feeling like kind of like completely, you know, destroyed or in a way of you're like angry about it or you're a way that you're um you know

working through it so it's it's all there um from the beginning to the end um but um but there's definitely there's there's one that my kid my kid is singing in the car because i'm going through mixes and i'm just like this is weird like it's your relationship i've never i've never written about my life to where my kids are like singing along and I'm like well that's a little weird like do they get what they're singing along to no that's what they're and so it's either four and six and so you know that's a little different but whatever this is what it is well we can't wait to hear the music and I'm so sorry you're going through all that but I know you'll you'll sing it out and we can't wait to hear it thanks for the time and congratulations on all your success with the talk

show. You make it sound easy, but it's not an easy thing to do. So, congratulations. It's a lot of work, yes, but it is easy to sense it. I love it. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you, Kelly for the time. This is fun. My big thanks again to Kelly for a great conversation. She's always so much fun. Season two of the Kelly Clarkson show premieres September 21st and The Voice returns to NBC on October 19th. My thanks to all of you as well for tuning in again this week. We've got more of our virtual interviews coming up. this fall a full slate of them, but also you can check out our full library of conversations here on the Sunday Sit Down podcast. Of course, don't forget to tune in to Sunday today every weekend on NBC.

Willie Geist, thanks for listening to the Sunday Sit Down podcast.