Kelly Clarkson v. American Idol

By: Shannon Gossage

According to producers, they are having a difficult time coming to a financial agreement with Clarkson to allow contestants on American Idol to sing her songs. A rep for Clarkson’s label said, "We get requests (for Kelly’s songs) all the time and we turn things down. It’s not just an Idol thing." Nigel Lythgoe, Idol producer is reportedly hoping to come to terms with Clarkson’s reps.

In 2002, Clarkson was the first winner of American Idol and she was a favorite of judge Simon Cowell’s, but now Cowell is singing a different tune. He reportedly said, "It sounds to me that someone is being difficult and I don’t like that." He also said, "No matter how talented Kelly Clarkson is, she would not be in the position she’s in now without winning this show. It’s a shame." Cowell added, "If she refuses to give songs to be used on the show, it’s like saying to every person who voted for you, ‘you know what? Thank you. I’m not interested in you anymore.’"

Clarkson’s manager, Jeff Rabhan, claims she would never "Snub" the show since it helped launch her career. He said, "We are negotiating for a fair-market value. Nobody is more proud of where she comes from than Kelly Clarkson." Clarkson’s sophomore album Breakawy has been a monster hit selling upwards of 5 million copies and earning her two Grammy nods. She is up for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her song Since U Been Gone" and for Best Pop Vocal Album for Breakaway.