Kelly Clarkson is celebrating the power of women in the latest issue of Variety.
In a featured interview with the publication, the first “American Idol” winner detailed her tumultuous relationship with RCA Records head and music mogul Clive Davis. The problem dated back to 2004 when Clarkson and record producer had been disagreeing over the singer’s music direction.
For example, the 35-year-old pop star recalled a time when Davis told Clarkson in a meeting that her ballad, “Because Of You”, was shitty. “I was told that was a shitty song because it didn’t rhyme. A group of men thought it was okay to sit around a young woman and bully her. I was told I should shut up and sing,” she revealed.
The tension between the duo escalated when Davis’ memoir, “The Soundtrack of My Life”, came out in 2013. In it, he stated that he didn’t think that Clarkson was capable of penning any hit songs. He also described that the Grammy winner had burst into “hysterical sobbing” over their disagreement on including “Since U Been Gone” on her sophomore record, “Breakaway”.
Refusing to stay quiet, Clarkson released a statement, saying, “I refuse to be bullied and I just have to clear up his memory lapses and misinformation for myself and for my fans. It feels like a violation. Growing up is awesome because you learn you don’t have to cower to anyone — even Clive Davis.”
Not long after her contract expired with RCA Records, Clarkson signed on with Atlantic Records. The mother of 2 is set to release 8th studio album, “Meaning of Life”, later this month. “It’s just the first record I’ve made that I didn’t call my mother, wanting to quit. And I’m not a baby, y’all. I’m strong. There are songs about it! I’m a very powerful, confident woman, but at the same time, you just feel beaten down,” she told Variety.
Even though working with Davis has left a sour taste, Clarkson admitted that they have produced good work together. “It always sounds like I’m going against Clive Davis. You have no idea how excited I was when I found out he was taking over. It’s like meeting someone you’ve idolised since you were a kid and being let down. The only victory I see from the last 15 years is honestly just the fact that, even in such an incredibly not-healthy environment, we were very successful,” the music superstar added.
You can read the rest of Clarkson’s interview with Variety here.
“Meaning of Life” will debut on 27th October.
