Why Kelly Clarkson chooses a ‘safe’ interviewing approach. Her talk show kicks off its sixth season

NEW YORK (AP) — Kelly Clarkson says she’s realized a factor or two about interviewing after being within the highlight as a recording artist since 2002. So, she’s created a protected house for friends on season six of her speak present which launches Monday. Burned by media tales previously, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter says she takes a unique method with friends on her daytime present.

Followers of the present — primarily based in New York for its second yr — can count on extra superstar interviews, human curiosity tales, and Clarkson’s signature “Kellyoke” musical performances. Clarkson says she likes to make friends really feel snug, typically enjoying video games and infusing humor into her segments.

Clarkson can be an government producer on the present, which has gained 22 Daytime Emmy Awards, together with Excellent Daytime Host and Speak Present final yr. She spoke to The Related Press just lately about how she approaches interviews, overlaying new artists and staying incognito on the subway. Solutions have been edited for readability and brevity.

AP: What are you most enthusiastic about within the new season?

CLARKSON: By season six, individuals sort of belief our present extra. I believe plenty of instances some actors or artists — particularly within the limelight — they get a bit of nervous about occurring reveals as a result of they’re like, “Are they going to try to angle one thing? Or get some form of soundbite or clickbait?” That’s not what I’m about. I’ve clearly had that occur to me in my profession, so I don’t need to try this to anybody. I believe individuals by now really feel protected there, and so they’re prepared to love, you realize, play a dumb sport that’s simply enjoyable or they’re prepared to speak about issues that possibly they don’t usually speak about.

AP: What have you ever realized from being on the opposite aspect of interviews?

CLARKSON: I do know what the receiving finish appears like. You simply need to promote one thing that you simply’re pleased with, after which having to shadowbox your approach by way of an interview so any person just isn’t attempting to make their profession off one thing they try to get you to say — it’s simply gross and it’s hurtful. There’s been sure issues, like the place I assist navigate the interview in a approach that I’m snug. I by no means ask somebody one thing that I wouldn’t thoughts answering. I positively have been on the receiving finish of that in a constructive approach and in a really unfavourable approach. I simply need individuals to really feel protected and cozy as a result of it’s imagined to be a great time, you realize?

AP: Who’re your dream friends?

CLARKSON: All the things is a cherry on high at this level. I’ve had essentially the most wonderful bookers for my present. I frolicked with Dolly Parton and Cher and Coronary heart and Alanis Morissette and Babyface and like all these artists that I really like musically. After which I received to hang around with Josh Brolin, who was like in “The Goonies” and he’s Thanos, and it’s like, so cool! Assembly individuals that you simply love of their motion pictures or for his or her work after which, you realize, attending to see a sneak peek of who they’re as a human may be very enjoyable. I at all times say Meryl Streep — she is one among my favorites within the business, whether or not it’s singing or appearing or no matter.

AP: Your “Kellyoke” phase is a fan-favorite, and also you cowl many common songs. Which new artists are you listening to now?

CLARKSON: I’m an enormous fan of Chappell (Roan.) I’m truly overlaying her fairly a bit this season. I really like Fletcher. I’ve at all times been overlaying this technology, like Billie (Eilish) or Olivia Rodrigo, there’s plenty of them. There’s plenty of expertise — Sabrina Carpenter I’m an enormous fan of. I’m like 42, however I like it. Music is music. That’s the cool factor about it. There isn’t a particular tradition, particular age, particular, no matter it’s important to be — it’s for everybody. I cowl 180 songs a season, which is superior. It’s simply plenty of work, so to have the ability to sing songs and be so enthusiastic about like these new up-and-coming artists. It’s thrilling overlaying these songs after which difficult you a bit however I really like this. It’s an amazing technology of artists proper now.

AP: Is it true you experience the New York Metropolis subway? Don’t you get acknowledged?

CLARKSON: By no means! Woman, I don’t appear to be this — (motions to made-up face) — this isn’t how I awoke! (laughs) I normally am in a mother bun, or a hat and I get away with it. It’s solely after I converse — as quickly as I open my mouth to talk is when individuals will go, ‘what?’ After which that’s what provides me away. I’ve a really gifted (hair and make-up) crew named Harry and Potter — that’s what I name them (laughs) — and I’m very fortunate. I understand that. On “The Voice,” like I bear in mind, any time I’d ever exit with Blake (Shelton) anyplace or John (Legend) they only appear to be them on a regular basis. They’ll’t get away with it and so they can’t go anyplace. I’m very blessed. I get away with main a reasonably regular common life, and I don’t suppose lots of people within the limelight get that. However yeah, the subway’s simply sooner! So, we’re on it on a regular basis.