Podcrushed – [Rerun] Kelly Clarkson

** Hosts:** Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin, Sophie Ansari
Guest: Kelly Clarkson
Release Date: March 25, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Podcrushed features an engaging and heartfelt conversation with superstar singer-songwriter and television host Kelly Clarkson. The hosts explore Kelly's formative middle school years, her faith and upbringing, the discovery of her musical talent, navigating fame and hardship, and insights into love, heartbreak, and independence. The discussion is candid, funny, and relatable, touching on both the universality and uniqueness of growing up, facing adversity, and finding one’s voice—literally and figuratively.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Musical Influences and Religious Upbringing

Secular Music as Forbidden Fruit
- Kelly wasn’t allowed to listen to or perform secular music until she left home ([00:00]–[00:11], [07:47]–[08:25]).
- She snuck secular music like TLC's "Red Light Special" and Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill by hiding CDs in her closet ([00:18], [08:29]–[09:45]).
“I had a whole stash in my closet that my mother never knew about.” – Kelly ([08:46])
Adaptability from Upbringing
- Grew up in various family configurations; this taught her to adapt and become independent ([07:02]).
- Family was very religious and conservative; her mother was more reserved than Kelly or her sister ([07:02]–[07:47]).

2. Discovering Her Talent & Aspirations

Standing Out in Church & School
- Kelly grew up singing in church, where “everyone sings. And everyone sings well” ([11:30]).
- Only realized her unique vocal abilities when others pointed it out in junior high ([11:30]–[12:59]).
- Originally aspired to be a background singer because she enjoyed harmony and being part of something bigger ([12:59]–[13:36]).
“I didn't ever want to be… the main [person]. My whole thing was I wanted to be a background singer because I love different genres of music…” – Kelly ([12:46])
Turning Point: American Idol
- After her LA apartment burned down, forcing her to live in her car briefly, she moved home; this hardship led to her auditioning for American Idol, a career-defining moment ([13:36]–[16:49]).
“I had to adapt… I think it helps me in this career, and I think it helps me in life… we gotta pivot.” – Kelly ([15:56])

3. Navigating Adulthood, Hardship, and Fame

Post-Idol Life & Resilience
- Discusses moving, career pivots, and the need for resilience in the entertainment industry ([16:49]–[18:46]).
- Divorce was "the most catastrophic thing," but it led to new opportunities, a move to New York, and new projects ([18:07]–[19:07]).
"Something horrible that happened, but now came this beautiful thing." – Kelly ([18:59])
Public Image vs. Private Reality
- Despite industry expectations, Kelly revels in “not caring” about appearances in her downtime ([05:13]–[05:37]).
- She credits her glam team and notes the drastic transformation between her at home and in public ([05:03]–[06:13]).
“I cannot express to you how much I don’t care [about looking good in public].” – Kelly ([05:37])

4. Love, Heartbreak, and Songwriting

First Crush and Late Love
- Didn’t experience true love until age 30; earliest crush was a funny older coworker at 17 ([21:22]–[21:47]).
- Recounts how crushes and heartbreak fueled her songwriting; believes in being direct about feelings ([24:50]).
“I'm, like, incapable of shying away. If I want something, I just pretty much go for it.” – Kelly ([24:50])
Love’s Complexity & Divorce
- Explores how love changes, especially post-divorce, and the nuances of explaining love, relationships, and family dynamics to kids ([43:36]–[47:27]).
“…when you do go through divorce, especially with young kids, the definition of love comes up quite a bit.” – Kelly ([43:36])

5. Independence, Interdependence, and Growth

Learning to Ask for Help
- In her 20s, struggled to ask for help, often tried appeasing difficult people ([32:40]–[34:41]).
- Gained balance with age – now enjoys independence but values interdependence and delegation, especially in professional settings ([32:40]–[34:41]).
“I'm very independent... but I'm also quick to look at my friend… and be like, dude, can you? I'm dying…” – Kelly ([32:40])
Empathy and Inclusivity
- Conversation expands to interdependent learning, empathy, and the importance of integrating kids with diverse abilities ([34:41]–[36:50]).

6. On Inspiration, Faith, and The Muse

Spirituality’s Evolution
- Values her Southern Baptist foundation for teaching compassion but now embraces a broader, more open spirituality due to her global experiences ([38:03]–[39:36]).
Finding a Muse
- Creativity is sparked by people, movies (“The Notebook,” “It’s Complicated”), heartbreak, and hope ([39:36]–[41:44]).
“I hate love. I don't hate love. I love love. But I just… I hate what love can do.” – Kelly ([41:44])

7. Reflections on Parenting and Inner Child

Talking to Her Younger Self
- Kelly would reassure 12-year-old Kelly that problems always feel huge but will be okay; regrets are part of growth ([53:16]–[54:39]).
- Parenting makes her witness anew many of her own childhood hurts as her children experience similar things ([55:41]).
“You just need to make sure, first of all, you're good with no sleep. And secondly, that you're really, like, are you good with you? Because if you're not good with you, you're not gonna be able to raise another human.” – Kelly ([48:34])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Sneaking Secular Music:

“Oh, my God. I didn’t even know what I was singing either. Right. Like, red light special, tlc… That creep record. What the hell?” – Kelly ([00:18])
On Adapting After Fire:

“We moved in that day. Went to Chili’s… came back and they were like, you can’t get through here… hours within we moved in.” – Kelly ([14:34])
On First True Love:

“I actually didn’t fall in love, like love love, until I was 30.” – Kelly ([21:28])
On Kindness and Leadership:

“When you’re put in a leadership position and you don’t want to be a leader, learning how to delegate respectfully is very hard, especially when you’re younger than most people that you work with.” – Kelly ([33:10])
On Love’s Power:

“If you're experiencing that depth of devastation, then you're also experiencing that depth of, like, magic.” – Kelly ([25:22])
On Parenting & Self-Reflection:

“You are my little identical twin when it comes to some things… you have the experience to at least sit in it with them. Maybe… just listening.” – Kelly ([55:57])
On Her Album, Chemistry:

“There’s songs on there that are, like, favorite kind of high, that are, like, very intense. Like, you want to rip the person’s clothes off with your teeth… But I will say… At least listen to Lighthouse. That’s my favorite one.” – Kelly ([50:22])

Timestamps of Important Segments

Kelly’s upbringing, faith, and secret music stash: [00:00]–[09:45], [07:47]–[08:25]
Early musical aspirations and pivotal moment: [11:30]–[13:36]
American Idol and adversity: [13:36]–[16:49]
Public persona vs. private self-care: [05:13]–[06:13]
Love, first crushes, and heartbreak: [21:22]–[25:22]
Creative process, musing, faith: [38:03]–[41:44]
Family, divorce, and communicating with children: [43:36]–[48:34]
Album discussion – Chemistry & recommendations: [50:15]–[53:09]
Advice to her 12-year-old self: [53:16]–[54:39]

Tone and Style

Candid, wry, and self-aware—Kelly’s signature humor shines through even in moments of vulnerability. The conversation moves fluidly between laughter, nostalgia, and earnestness, making it relatable and magnetic for listeners of all ages.

In Summary

This episode with Kelly Clarkson is a heartfelt journey through music, faith, struggle, resilience, independence, and the deep lessons learned through love and loss. Listeners are treated to anecdotes from Kelly’s past, insights into her growth as an artist and a person, and honest reflections on parenting and what it means to be human. Through Kelly’s relatability and wit, the episode offers comfort and wisdom: “Things may seem so huge in the moment, but I promise you, it’s gonna be fine.”