Clarkson snubs Idol

Erin

Monk's First Lady

I know most of you probably don't care about this, but I'm posting it because I thought it was funny.



Ex-'Idol' Clarkson stiffs her old show

Thursday, January 19, 2006; Posted: 1:50 a.m. EST (06:50 GMT)

Kelly Clarkson isn't letting "American Idol" use her songs.

PASADENA, California (AP) -- Singer Kelly Clarkson, who vaulted to fame as the first "American Idol" winner in 2002, is not letting any of her songs be used by new contestants on the show.

A spokesman for Clarkson insisted it's nothing personal, but the stance prompted a public scolding from "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell.

"I think that by ignoring the show you're ignoring the audience who put you there," Cowell said Tuesday.

Clarkson has become a major star in the past year, with her hit "Since U Been Gone" earning both massive sales and critical respect, particularly from a rock community that has looked upon "American Idol" contestants warily. Her album "Breakaway" earned a Grammy nomination for best pop vocal album.

Yet it may have cost her a good relationship with the nation's most popular talent show.

"American Idol" must obtain permission from owners of song licenses before the music can be used on the show. While many love the exposure, some artists like to rigidly control use of their music.

Clarkson is not allowing any of her songs to be licensed for other uses, said Roger Widynowski, a spokesman for Sony BMG. "It has nothing to do with 'Idol,' " he said.

The show's executive producer, Nigel Lythgoe, said he requested songs to be used on this year's show. He said he's not even sure Clarkson herself is aware of the situation.

Before "Breakaway," Clarkson fired Simon Fuller, the "American Idol" creator, as her manager, saying that although he is a "great guy," she needed someone who could give her career more attention. She teamed with Swedish hitmaker Max Martin on "Since U Been Gone."

It's the same delicate position faced by countless other musicians through show biz history, wanting to break away and show artistic independence without alienating those who gave them their start.

Cowell said he hoped Clarkson would let her music be used on "American Idol."

"No matter how talented Kelly Clarkson is, she would not be in the position she's in now without winning this show," he said. "And forget the way she feels about us or the producers or anybody else, or the terrible songwriters she alleges she was with which sold her millions of records.

"It's the public who bothered to pick up the phone to vote for her," he said. "If she refuses to give songs to be used on the show, it's like saying to every person who voted for you, 'You know what? Thank you. I'm not interested in you anymore.' "

With the seemingly unquenchable public interest in "American Idol," it's not like the show really needs Clarkson. But she's plainly the best example producers can point to as proof that they can open the door to wish fulfillment.

Sony's Widynowski said he would not comment on Cowell's remarks.

Clarkson, in an interview with The Associated Press last year, said she knows she'll always be identified as an "American Idol," and she has no problems with that.

"That's where I got my start," she said. "They always talk about the big first thing that you did. I think the only thing that I do mind is I don't want people to only focus on that."

For his part, Cowell said, "I don't like this, when they walk away from the show and kind of forget."

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

cnn.com



I personally find it kind of funny that as soon as her 1 year contract from the show was up, she fired her manager and switched to a new one. In her defense, this guy is doing a great job.

And though Idol gave Kelly her start, I think she is so beyond that now. No one from the show will ever touch her in talent or fame, and I think that if she doesen't want them singing her songs, that's her decision. She is still going to sell millions of records, no matter what Simon says. She helped write those songs and they are hers.

Dr. Giganto

I think "The Booty", as I like to call her, can do anything she wants...

DMW

It's smart of her to distance herself from that show as much as she can. And I hardly feel sympathic toward the show. They exploit those kids so badly that it's nice to see someone it stick to them, if only in this small way.

Tyler Durden

I agree wholeheartedly with the aforementioned poster

And the one above that that suggested she has a fine ass

Cage 2.0

Didn't she relent and agree to allow "some" of her songs to be used?

Not that I care or watch the show of course...

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

Its funny. I thought she should pay respects to the ones that made her, but you bring up a good point.

Reps my man.

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

I also heard that she is allowing "certain" songs to be sung by AI contestants.

Joseph T. Cool

Administrator

Only because Simon Cowell basically guilt tripped her into it with his comments.

Mikk

WC's Sexy Beast

I finally saw american idol yesterday and i could not believe the ammount of talentless crap america has.

And some of the people on there are hilarious.


I'm not really a fan of Clarkson but i feel this is a good thing for her to have done.

Tyler Durden

I saw it too yesterday for the first time.

I figured since it was in Chi-town that I may see Miakal on it. I think I saw him too....he's a very large African American lady isn't he?

They seemed like they were really running low of quality on that particular show since they let through some people that were just not at all good.

It was also noticeable that Simon Cowell plays his role slightly differently for US audiences. Still a Mr Nasty role, but he plays it just a little different.