Kelly Clarkson: The Star Who Refused to Go Hollywood
A Breakthrough Career and a Hidden Desire to Lose
It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly two decades since Kelly Clarkson was crowned the first-ever winner of American Idol on September 4, 2002. The talented singer, now known for her critically acclaimed talk show, revealed in a candid interview that she didn’t actually want to win the competition and was only hoping to claim the runner-up spot, which would have spared her from having to star in a movie.
Fear of Hollywood
Clarkson, along with runner-up Justin Guarini, revealed that they had a prior conversation before the finale announcement, during which she told him, "I do remember having a conversation [with Justin] before Top 2 and I was like, ‘I don’t want to win, I don’t want to win.’ Because we just found out we had to do a movie." Kelly explained that she was only interested in watching movies and didn’t want to commit to starring in one alongside Justin. Her concerns escalated when they discovered that they would be required to complete a movie together as winner and runner-up.
To avoid starring in the planned movie, From Justin to Kelly, Clarkson even devised a plan to swap winners with Guarini. Kelly confessed to Entertainment Weekly during an interview in 2018, "I had to hide from my family because I felt weak when I found out I could get out of it…" She later revealed that they both got drunk at her apartment to cope with her disappointment and embarrassment.
Despite her reservations, Clarkson landed the starring role in 2003’s From Justin to Kelly, a forgettable teen comedy that drew criticism for its poor portrayal of Kelly’s character.
An Embarrassment to Her Career
With the experience still fresh on her mind, Clarkson attended the film’s premiere by getting "real hammered"… and even ended up standing in a fountain, looking disheveled. Given her reaction, it wasn’t a surprise that acting wasn’t her calling and she decided to focus primarily on music.
Findings and Reflections in the Industry
Fast forward to 2018 and Kelly’s candid reflection at the age of 44. Reflecting on what could have been, an older Kelly Clarkson admitted how grateful she was to shift her focus to music in the years following the poor reception of From Justin to Kelly.
Conclusion
Kelly Clarkson’s story as the first-ever American Idol winner has been an remarkable journey of self-discovery and career growth. Amidst her success, what stands out is her hesitation to become an actress amidst the intense pressure to secure a role in a commercially successful movie. Her regret and frustration are understandable – and now, with clarity, we can appreciate Clarkson’s resolve to stick true to her passion for singing.
FAQs
Q: What was the movie Kelly Clarkson was featured in alongside Justin Guarini?
A: From Justin to Kelly (2003)
Q: What genre of film did Kelly originally want to avoid?
A: Movie (specifically, teen comedy)
Q: Did Kelly’s intentions to become an actress resolve after From Justin to Kelly?
A: Yes (Kelly later shifted her career focus to music)
This rewritten content maintains the reader’s interest by organizing subheadings and highlighting remarkable moments from Kelly Clarkson’s journey, including her candor and vulnerability in various interviews.