If everything goes according to plan, Kelly Clarkson will never star in a celebrity sex tape.
Nor will the former “American Idol” champ ever be caught toting around a small, yippie dog in a designer purse.
And you can safely assume that the 24-year-old will never date, marry and/or divorce Richie Sambora.
These are just a few reasons why Clarkson is the rare pop phenom who doesn’t make you feel guilty for finding her appealing. The 5-foot-3 Texas tornado has zero desire to play the Hollywood Shuffle.
Even if she wanted to mingle with Lindsay and Britney, Paris and Nicole, she claims she’d have a hard time recognizing them.
Case in point: At this year’s Grammy Awards, the singer goosed the music world by winning both best pop vocal album (for 2004’s multiplatinum “Breakaway”) and best female pop vocal performance (for ubiquitous smash “Since U Been Gone”).
“Honestly, I’m such a nerd,” Clarkson said. “I don’t ever recognize anybody! … People won’t introduce themselves, ’cause they think that you should just know. And I’m like, ‘I’ve never met you, so how would I know you?’ People look different in person. I look totally different in person!”
Before you buy too much of her “aw shucks” stuff, let it be known that the girl wants to dominate. Selling almost 10 million copies worldwide of your first two albums (2003’s “Thankful” was her debut) doesn’t happen by accident. She’s dreamed about giving a Grammy speech since she was a wee thing growing up in Burleson, Texas.
But as La-La Land’s nubile no-talents compete for the cover of “US Weekly,” Clarkson is building her budding pop empire from afar–without tabloid-tailored controversy.
“I’m always going to live in Texas,” Clarkson said. “Just ’cause Texas is so awesome, and everything else isn’t.”
And there you go: The reason Clarkson is so universally likable is because she has learned, in a short time, how to be successful on her own terms.
After winning the first “Idol” in 2002, Clarkson was managed by 19 Entertainment and “Idol” creator Simon Fuller. Clarkson recently cut the final “Idol” apron string, leaving 19 Entertainment and signing with the Firm.
“I’m very proud of coming from [‘Idol’],” she said. “… Now I’m holding the reins of my career. I’m not as much of a rookie as I was before.”
Clarkson has been one of the most played pop stars during the past three years. Her hits include the funky “Miss Independent,” the ballad “Because of You” and the rocker “Since U Been Gone.”
During her current tour, Clarkson is unveiling a handful of songs from her as-yet-untitled third album, which is slated to hit stores in January or February.
“Oh my god!” Clarkson said. “I’m going to be honest with you: My third album is ridiculous. I’m so excited. It’s so great.”
Normally, such confidence coming from a major pop star would seem like the typical hype machine spitting out empty promises. But Clarkson isn’t typical. Not even in the slightest.
“If everybody doesn’t like it, that’s cool,” she said, laughing. “I’m in love with it!”
Kelly Clarkson
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park
