Kelly Clarkson successfully served as a coach on the American version of The Voice for nine seasons, but one person who allegedly doubted her qualifications was her then-husband, Brandon Blackstock.
In court documents obtained by the New York Post and published on Tuesday, Kelly claims that Brandon once told her she wasn’t “sexy” enough to join the NBC talent competition series.
Brandon ― who, for years, acted as Kelly’s manager ― also allegedly told her that her public persona was “too similar” to that of another Voice coach, country musician Blake Shelton, and that NBC executives were “looking for a more sex symbol type” like the singer Rihanna.
The New York Post also reports that, when asked about the discussion in court, Kelly told her lawyer Ed McPherson: “Well, a wife doesn’t forget a time she gets told she’s not a sex symbol, so that stays.”
Kelly went on to join The Voice for its 14th season in 2018, and continued with the show through its 21st season in 2021. She returned for Season 23, which wrapped in May of last year.
Brandon hasn’t commented publicly on the Post’s story. In November, however, a California labor commissioner ordered him to pay Kelly more than $2.6 million (around £2 million) over unlawful business deals he made on his ex-wife’s behalf.
Kelly split from Brandon in 2020 after seven years of marriage. Their divorce was finalised in 2022. The former couple share a nine-year-old daughter, River Rose, and a seven-year-old son, Remington Alexander.
Initially, Kelly had to pay her ex $115,000 (£90,660) a month in spousal support, but those payments reportedly came to an end this month. The American Idol veteran and talk show host also alluded to the demise of her marriage on her 10th studio album, Chemistry, which was released last year.
In an interview with People published on Wednesday, Kelly opened up about her use of songwriting as a “healthy outlet” for her grief.
“The level of depression and things that come with divorce or grieving is extraordinarily hard,” she said. “You feel alone, and it’s just a blessing to be able to have that outlet for those emotions that are overwhelming.”