Podcast Summary: “Vault: Kelly Clarkson Joins The Show”

The Bert Show (Pionaire Podcasting), December 11, 2025

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This episode features a lively and candid conversation with Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken, reflecting on their post-American Idol stardom, the realities of fame, and keeping a sense of humor amidst a whirlwind schedule. The Bert Show cast engages them in a playful, self-aware format that offers both genuine insight and lighthearted moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Challenge of Celebrity Interviews

• Burt, the host, admits to feeling at a loss for new questions:
  • “I really don’t know what to ask you guys, so why don’t you all interview yourself a little bit? And they bought it, and they did.” (01:56)
• The result is Kelly and Clay playfully interviewing each other, poking fun at typical media questions.

2. Reflections on Stardom and “Stock Answers”

• Familiarity with media tropes:
  • Kelly mimics being asked, “How did it feel to win American Idol?” and Clay jokes about having honed his answers over repeated interviews.
  • Clay: "Well, I've answered it so many times, I've got it down." (04:05)

3. The Exhaustion and Adaptation of Fame

• The whirlwind of sudden fame:
  • Burt observes, “This whole thing, really. It’s got to be at one point, it’s got to be exhausting ... And I know you gotta put the face on...” (04:07)
  • Kelly responds candidly: “It’s exhausting.” (04:16)
  • Clay elaborates: “It’s like going to a new job that’s, like, so chaotic. And everybody’s watching, not just your boss.” (04:22)
• Learning to cope:
  • Kelly: “The whirlwind doesn’t slow down. You just figure out how to deal with it more.” (04:34)
  • Clay: “Because it’s still just as busy. We’re just used to it.” (04:38)

4. The Un-Glamorous Reality

• Debunking myths about celebrity lifestyles:
  • Kelly: “I always thought it was gonna be glamorous. And I sit on my couch at home and eat in my pajamas and eat all the time and watch TV.” (05:10)
  • Clay: “Yeah. I go camping. So no one glamorous with me.” (05:17)

5. The Pressure of Public Scrutiny

• Self-consciousness in public:
  • Kelly: “Sometimes it makes me go, goodness gracious. A little anonymity would be nice. I would like to go out to the grocery store and not have anybody staring all the time and taking note of what type of milk I buy… Because I guarantee you there are fans out there that know what percent of milk I buy.” (05:52)

6. Staying Grounded

• Introverted tendencies help keep them grounded:
  • Clay: “We’re both kind of introvertish ... We don’t go out. We don’t do a lot of things.” (04:55)
• Using a disguise:
  • Clay: “I get away with it. I put a hat on, and I put my glasses on, and nobody recognizes [me]. I’m quite the chameleon.” (06:33)

7. Kelly Clarkson’s Humor: The Recording Bloopers

• A peek behind the scenes:
  • Burt shares how Kelly struggled to record show liners, repeatedly messing up and laughing:
    • Clay, teasing: “Wow, you have a lot of bloopers. It’s okay.” (08:39)
  • The segment highlights Kelly’s good nature and willingness to laugh at herself.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Burt on interview fatigue:
  "With Kelly I think it's been three times and with Clay it was four times or whatever, you know, I know that adds up to seven." (01:47)

• Kelly mimicking a standard interview question:
  “How did it feel to win American Idol?” (03:14)
  (then to Clay) “Oh wait, you didn’t win.” (03:18)

• On adapting to fame:

  • Clay: “...it’s just weird. I grew up in a small town, so everybody knew my name in the beginning. So now, you know, people know my name on a larger scale.” (03:55)

• On exhausting fame:

  • Kelly: “It’s exhausting.” (04:16)
  • Clay: “It’s like going to a new job that’s, like, so chaotic. And everybody's watching. Not just your boss.” (04:22)
  • Kelly: “The whirlwind doesn’t slow down. You just figure out how to deal with it more.” (04:34)

• A candid moment about privacy:

  • Kelly: “A little anonymity would be nice. ... I would like to go out to the grocery store and not have anybody staring all the time and taking note of what type of milk I buy...” (05:52)

• A self-aware, humorous aside:

  • Clay jokes about tabloids: “Anytime anybody sees me in, like, a girl section, they’re like, Kelly’s pregnant. ... That’s Justin’s baby. ... I’m like, yeah, no, not at all. But that’s okay.” (06:12–06:30)

• Kelly’s recurring blooper:
  “Hey, what’s up? This is Kelly Clarkson, and I know how to win ... I know how—what am I doing? What am I winning?” (08:08–08:15)

Noteworthy Segments & Timestamps

• Burt admits to not knowing what to ask – 01:56
• DIY interviewing and poking fun at “stock” questions – 02:58–03:40
• Discussion on fame’s impact and adapting to the whirlwind – 04:07–04:41
• Life before and after fame; the lack of glamour – 05:10–05:17
• Public scrutiny and longing for anonymity – 05:52–06:12
• Kelly’s recording bloopers & humor – 08:01–08:49

Overall Tone

The episode’s energy is relentlessly upbeat, self-effacing, and genuine, matching The Bert Show’s signature blend of humor and authenticity. Kelly Clarkson’s charm and relatability shine, especially as she laughs at her struggles. Clay Aiken’s witty asides help keep the energy light. Burt and the team maintain a personable, friendly, and approachable tone throughout.