Amanda Schwab/Startraks
“Fashion over function” is not a mantra Kelly Clarkson lives by.
“I think you should be comfortable,” the original American Idol told reporters while doing press for her new ABC singing competition, Duets, in Los Angeles last week.
“This is such a funny industry. Sometimes I turn on awards shows and pop stars are wearing alien costumes,” Clarkson said of the outlandish fashions in the music industry. “I’m like, ‘That’s cool for you but ain’t no way in hell someone is going to convince me to wear that on stage.'”
The “What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger)” singer believes the music industry puts too much pressure on artists to conform.
“Not only can the music be formulaic, but the attire can be formulaic,” she said. “Just like music, with style there is room for everything and it might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it is that person’s thing.”
Now Clarkson is imparting her fashion advice on her Duets contestant, Jordan Meredith.
“I need [Jordan] to be comfortable on stage and people are pushing her to wear something else and that is not our focus,” said Clarkson, who will mentor and sing with Meredith and one other contestant during the show’s premiere season. “Especially in a competition you need to be comfortable and confident.”
And for Clarkson, comfort begins with footwear.
“I don’t want to wear no stiletto,” she said, gesturing to her open-toed shoes with thick heels. “I am not a model and I am not Beyoncé. It is not going to happen.”
–Patrick Gomez
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