Kelly Clarkson is having a massive week. She announced the release of her next album, Meaning of Life, out Oct. 27, her first with Atlantic records. Additionally, the American Idol singer dropped two new songs, the album’s lead single, “Love So Soft,” as well as an album track “Move You.”
Kelly Clarkson Album Meaning of Life plus “Love So Soft” and “Move You” Videos
In the cover story, Kelly explains why she chose to join the coaches panel of The Voice rather than accept ABC’s offer to join the American Idol reboot as a judge:
Clarkson says her decision to join The Voice really came down to her husband and her kids. “I want it to be a great experience for my whole family, and that’s what I have to think about at this point in my life,” she explains.
Because Clarkson’s husband and manager, Brandon Blackstock, also manages fellow Voice coach Blake Shelton, Clarkson is often on set with her children and is already well acquainted with the workings of the show. The chance to work alongside her husband was an offer she couldn’t pass up. “We’re used to the Voice schedule, we already have to work around it because of our family,” Clarkson says. “We have four children — that can be very taxing with a schedule. It was just a no-brainer for me with The Voice because of that alone. But my thing is, I was kind of bummed too when [Idol] came to me. I hope it’s super successful.”
Kelly had been in talks to join The Voice for four years, but her pregnancies got in the way. As far as American Idol returning to television so soon after FOX cancelled it, Kelly quipped, “It’s a little too soon, because I was pregnant with my son when it ended, and he’s only 1…”
“Would it have been awesome to come back to the show that started me and help give someone that start? Yes!” Kelly told EW. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t do the same thing on The Voice. That’s my goal. I want to have someone on my team, whether they win or not, to have a successful career after being on the show.”
