Kelly Clarkson: ‘I’ve never believed in someone taking care of me’

kelly redbook

I like that Kelly Clarkson shows off her baby River Rose whenever possible. I think it’s natural to want to show off your kid, but so many celebrities play these complicated games about “not wanting” to show off their kid while simultaneously showing off their kid. Kelly has no angst about it. She posts endless photos of River Rose on her social media, and here they are on the cover of the new issue of Redbook. Kelly is promoting her new album, but most of the interview is about motherhood and body image. Kelly has faced a barrage of body criticism from trolls and douchebags in recent months, and she’s still laughing it off. Some highlights from Redbook:

Kelly is all about sexy times with her husband: “I always swore ours would not be a relationship where we have to schedule sex. That is never going to happen. We put each other first. I call it the oxygen-mask mentality—take care of yourself first!”

Whether Brandon Blackstock is her other half: “Goodness, no! He’s a whole and I’m a whole. I’ve never believed in someone taking care of me, and that’s probably because I grew up poor and without a lot of family stability.”

Body critics: “There are just some people who are born skinny and with a great metabolism—that is not me. I wish I had a better metabolism. But someone else probably wishes they could walk into a room and make friends with everyone like I can. You always want what someone else has. I don’t obsess about my weight, which is probably one of the reasons why other people have such a problem with it.”

[From E! News]

Am I the only one who teared up at these quotes? I’m not hormonal, I swear, but I just felt such a strong wave of love for Kelly and her amazing positivity and outlook on life. “I’ve never believed in someone taking care of me…” YES. SO MUCH YES. Her husband does not “complete” her. She was not incomplete without a man. She was a whole person and she fell madly in love.

And this: “I wish I had a better metabolism. But someone else probably wishes they could walk into a room and make friends with everyone like I can.” Sh-t, I wish I was more like Kelly Clarkson. Kelly Clarkson for president!!

Photos courtesy of Redbook, Instagram.

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55 Responses to “Kelly Clarkson: ‘I’ve never believed in someone taking care of me’”

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  1. Snazzy says:

    I really like some of the things she said there … ok most of it! A nice dose of positivity for the day 😀

  2. mandygirl says:

    Love Kelly’s positive attitude.

  3. It is what it is says:

    She and her baby are so happy, it’s so sweet!

  4. Luca76 says:

    I love her confidence. Fingers crossed those cheating allegations on her hubby weren’t real.

  5. Senaber says:

    How can anyone hate on Kelly Clarkson? Even if her music is not your cup of tea, she’s undeniably talented, thoughtful, and kind.

  6. Ameoba says:

    About all her comments – a hundred times Yaas! She gets it all so right. And with realness.
    Kelly Clarkson’s gonna be a cool mom.

  7. Kelly says:

    Love her!

    (Has anyone else noticed the unfortunate arrow on the cover? C’mon graphic designers! Her vagine is not where one will find the preview.)

    • savu says:

      YES I DID IMMEDIATELY. How did somebody not catch that?

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      Really, what WAS that?

    • derpshooter says:

      yes! I noticed it right away and it kept distracting me from that cute baby! how did that get editor approval? it’s everyone at redbook high all the time?

    • FLORC says:

      Lol I missed it, but wow. That is unfortunate, but hilarious with “Open here for a preview.” What were they thinking?!

    • anotherrandom says:

      I didn’t see it until you pointed it out, but I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume there will be a flap to lift on the actual print edition that’s not translating to the digital one. Still unfortunate placement though.

  8. NewWester says:

    The more I read and hear about Kelly, the more I like her.

  9. Naddie says:

    The baby with headphones. It’s. So. Damn. Cute. Gotta love these two.

  10. Claudia says:

    “Goodness, no! He’s a whole and I’m a whole. ” Yes! That’s a pet peeve of mine, calling your partner your “other half”. Nobody’s just a half. Another thing that makes me love Kelly.

    • Kitten says:

      Oh my god, I almost screamed “YES!” when I read that.

      She’s so f*cking awesome.

      I wanna say that her husband is a lucky guy but from what I know about Kelly, I have a feeling he’s equally as amazing.

    • FLORC says:

      I’ve done that. Because we spent so much time together. Whe we went somewhere it was likewe were a unit and not 2 seperates. Or Soul Mates coming together to fill a void felt or complete the other. I stopped saying that since.
      Calling them a “better half” I never really understood.

      Still, Love Her!

      Kitten
      There have been rumors about him cheating since they were dating. I hope not true, but if it is she’s strong and will be just fine.

  11. Lilacflowers says:

    She’s fantastic and refreshing. May she be happy always.

    • Lahdidahbaby says:

      Amen to that. The pure joy on that baby’s face mirrors Kelly’s own. The sweetest sight! Anyone who can look past that to weight issues is a desperate troll or a person who has NO IDEA how to be happy.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      She is lovely, inside and out.

    • Erinn says:

      When I read the headline I was just itching to write “well of course not, she’s ‘Miss Independent'” but I genuinely love this interview. I have a giant soft spot for her.

    • Kitten says:

      +1. This woman deserves all the happiness in the world.

  12. MrsBPitt says:

    I have always loved Kelly…from the first time I heard her sing on American Idol! I love her even more after reading these quotes! All mothers should teach their daughters that they don’t need a man in their lives to be complete,and to get an education, and to be self-sufficient in everything. As a matter of fact, all mothers and fathers should teach girls and boys alike, these lessons! I am 56 years old, and I remember when I was graduating from high school and wanted to go to college and my folks said, no, it would be a waste, because, I would just end up getting married and staying home to raise kids. So, that’s exactly what I did. And then, a few years later, when my husband turned out to be a cheating, abusive, asshole, I stayed with him a lot longer than I should have, because I had no education and didn’t think I could afford to take my kids and leave. I still regret not going to college…

    I also love Kelly, because, you can tell that she is not just shilling her kid to sell records!! She is absolutely smitten with her baby and so proud of her, she wants to show her off!!

    • Scarlet Vixen says:

      My mum did the same thing–she did so well in high school that she earned a college scholarship to pursue nursing, but her mother told her she couldn’t go to college because it was a waste of time and money. So my mum wound up getting married at 18 and having 3 kids in 4 years with an abusive man who then deserted her. My mum is now 75, twice divorced, and while she loves her children and grandkids she still regrets that road not taken and having to always rely on a husband to take care of her. She still is dependent on my dad’s social security for income because she left the work force as a teenager.

      On a more positive note, my mother-in-law is 65 and went back to school to finish her degree last year. She’s now a full-time student for the first time in over 40 years and is LOVING it! You get out there and get it MrsBPitt!

      • MrsBPitt says:

        thanks for the encouragement, scarlet…I do think about going to college from time to time….I love to read and learn new things…

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        MrsBPitt
        You are so smart, and if you decide to go to college, you will ace it. If you don’t, you still win at life because of your strength and courage and wisdom. Your kids are lucky to have a mother like you. I’m so glad you got out.

    • OTHER RENEE says:

      MrsBPitt, start at a community college to get the feel of it. College is a gift and blessing. I’m in a Graduate school where half the students are 40 to 65+. Good luck!

      • MrsBPitt says:

        Thanks GNAT….thanks for such lovely words!

        @other Renee…I may start looking into our community college….that’s a great idea!

    • Jayna says:

      Find a two-year certificate course or Associate’s degree that is a good option in the hiring sector, often medical or computer oriented. That will be doable for you and get you back out in the work force with some type of specialty. My friend went back and got her R.N. Associate’s degree, and down the road wants to get her B.S. in Nursing. But for now at least she feels qualified for a job in a professional setting and it gives her back her pride she had lost in her horrible marriage, and is getting good benefits compared to before.

    • lucy2 says:

      I just saw a story about a 90+ year old woman who had to drop out of high school as a child to raise her siblings, and just now got her diploma. It is never too late to pursue your dreams and follow a passion!

    • ProfProf says:

      I’m a professor at a regional campus in a big state school system. A TON of my students are “non-traditional” as was my mom–she was determined to beat me to college graduation and did so by 6-months out of sheer force of will 🙂

      As a teacher, I love my non-traditional, older students! They have the life experience and the discipline but most importantly, they have a real appreciation for the opportunity to learn. Also some campuses have special study groups and guidance programs for returning adult students to get you back into the academic groove. Best of luck!!

  13. Nikki says:

    MrsBPitt, congrats to you for getting away from an abuser! And I know 2 people who took college courses quite late in life, so never say never! Agree 100# that Kelly has the most awesome outlook on things. My mom DRILLED into her 3 daughters that you must be able to take care of yourself in life, because you never know what can happen. I appreciate her great advice so much, and tell all the young girls I can! And Kelly’s weight outlook is my inspiration for the day!

  14. Serena says:

    Yay for Kelly!! Be happy girl!!!

  15. Nicolette says:

    I really like her. She’s not the typical celeb and seems so down to earth and friendly. Her comments are positive and uplifting which is a nice change of pace compared to others in the public eye.

    • a cut above says:

      +1000 She seems pretty awesome. More celebs need to take a page out of her book.

  16. LOVE, love, love this woman. XO

  17. Dash says:

    She’s really had an amazing career. How many other Idol winners are still this relevant? The only other is Carrie Underwood.

    • Scarlet Vixen says:

      Phillip Phillips is doing pretty well too, but he hasn’t been around as long. Fantasia is a mess but has a pretty decent Broadway career. It’s actually often the non-winners that do well because they get more creative freedom when putting out their records instead of being stuck with what the Idol production team makes them record. People like Chris Daughtry and Jennifer Hudson are successful, and they both wound up in 4th I believe. Katherine McPhee was the runner-up in her season and is a reasonably successful actress. Adam Lambert was another runner-up who did pretty well. Who was the redheaded guy that came in 2nd to Ruben? He has a huge career for awhile. There’s a few others like Ace Young that didn’t win but went on to become names on Broadway or daytime tv. And…I have just shown I know way too much about Idol…LoL I honestly just watch Idol because I’m in love with Harry Connick, Jr. 🙂

      Kelly Clarkson was the mentor on Idol a couple weeks ago, and I was so blown away by how talented, humble, funny, genuine & insightful she was. Her music is not really my cup of tea, but I am a fan of HER for life. She writes alot of her own songs, has an amazing voice, and gave such great encouragement but really solid advice to the contestants. She is so refreshingly genuine and unspoilt by fame. I want to be best friends with her and have play dates with our adorable babies. LoL

      • FLORC says:

        Carrie Underwood should stick to singing. Her acting was awful in Live Sound of Music and her line of athletic wear is horrible and made up of items that anyone who actually works up a sweat could not wear.
        Someone pointed out she designs work out clothes for people who want to appear to have worked out, but don’t Which is why the clothes are so loose around the muffin top area and drape over the bottom.

  18. Macey says:

    She’s one of those ppl I really wish were my friend. such a good heart and honest soul she has and she’s always stayed true to that.

  19. Debbie says:

    I just like her. I don’t have anything else to say, she just seems like a great person.

  20. Lucy says:

    Role Model!

  21. lucy2 says:

    I love her more with each interview, especially what she says about how she and her husband are each whole people, not each other’s half. I also love the line about not having the fastest metabolism but having the ability to make friends easily (not to mention she can outsing just about anyone) – no one has everything, and even the people who seem like they do, they don’t.

  22. Janie says:

    She’s such a sweet person. Her baby is the happiest little girl and she simply loves life! What a refreshing change and outlook!

  23. Murphy says:

    I don’t have a fast metabolism to trade with her but I do wish i could make friends with everyone!

  24. Ms. D says:

    Seriously, her baby is so much cuteness! And her outlook on life is spot on. And who hates on a woman for her weight from pregnancy – there must be a special circle in hell reserved for people like that.

  25. NeoCleo says:

    The cover photo of the two of them is adorable. What a cute, happy kid.

  26. Imtellinu says:

    I still will never understand why she allowed her wedding photos to be photoshopped. Hopefully she’ll come clean about it someday. I think her husband was probably behind that decision.

    • lucy2 says:

      Were they? I just looked at a bunch and I don’t see anything that looked weird or altered.

  27. jenn12 says:

    Love that she said this! Screw you if you’re going to obsess about how someone else looks. Stay in your own lane. Don’t want to look at someone? Don’t. Sorry that you can’t control how she feels about herself. And, YES, love your partner, but you shouldn’t need the person to fill a hole inside you.

  28. zannadoo says:

    Kelly is just a bright light of awesomeness. She seems like such an intelligent woman. She’s no heavier than many average women after they have a baby. She looks beautiful and FFS the first year of your baby’s life is about adjusting to life with baby and lapping up all the cuteness, which is what she seems to be doing. She’s super talented and if I had to spend a day with any woman who’s been in the top 40 in the past five years, she’d probably be my pick. She’s real, and she’s funny, and she’s no dummy… she’s an interesting person. Also, not all babies are THAT cute, that is a delicious baby!! I love that Kelly is doing so well, she deserves this.