Kelly Clarkson defends herself against Clive Davis and his stories.

[DAME]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 4:13pm

I love Kelly Clarkson. Good for her for speaking out.

"February 19, 2013

Hey y'all,

So I just heard Clive Davis is releasing a memoir and spreading false information about me and my music. 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.

First, he says I burst into "hysterical sobbing" in his office when he demanded Since You Been Gone be on my album. Not true at all. His stories and songs are mixed up. I did want more guitars added to the original demo and Clive did not. Max, Luke and I still fought for the bigger sound and we prevailed and I couldn't be more proud of the life of that song. I resent him dampening that song in any way.

But, yes, I did cry in his office once. I cried after I played him a song I had written about my life called "Because Of You." I cried because he hated it and told me verbatim that I was a "sh*tty writer who should be grateful for the gifts that he bestows upon me." He continued on about how the song didn't rhyme and how I should just shut up and sing. This was devastating coming from a man who I, as a young girl, considered a musical hero and was so honored to work with.
But I continued to fight for the song and the label relented. And it became a worldwide hit. He didn't include that in the book.

He also goes on to say My December wasn't successful because I co-penned the album and it didn't have "pop hits". Well, first let me say, I've co-penned many of my "pop hits." Secondly, My December went platinum (It sold 20,000 less than All I Ever Wanted which followed My December.) Hardly a huge failure. Never Again, the ONLY single they released in the US from that record was a Top 10 hit. I am very proud of that and I have my fans to thank. But, again, what's most interesting about his story is what he leaves out: He doesn't mention how he stood up in front of his company at a convention and belittled me and my music and completely sabotaged the entire project. It never had a chance to reach it's full potential. My December was an album I needed to make for myself for many reasons and the fact that I was so completely disregarded and disrespected was so disheartening, there really aren't words to explain….

Anyway, I love my job. I love my music. I love my fans. I love my label and all of my professional relationships… now. And I am grateful for Clive for teaching me to know the difference.

Cheers to another amazing year! And, as always, thanks for listening!

KC"


http://www.whosay.com/kellyclarkson/content/515466?wsref=tw&code=GLO5cY7

Updated On: 2/19/13 at 04:13 PM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 4:17pm

I think it's great she's setting the record (no pun intended) straight (no pun intended as per Clive's sexual preferences). She clearly is standing her ground and keeping her integrity intact and calling out the bullsh!t.

Who the hell does this guy think he is anyways? Tommy Mottola?!!

[DAME]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 4:19pm

It is a shame because now there is doubt cast over his recollections in his book.

[Luscious]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 4:20pm

Good for her! He's too old and tired to matter at this point, anyway.

[DAME]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 4:23pm

Well.. he is a legend. But so was Arthur Laurents.. and we all have heard the bs situations that surrounded him.

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 4:29pm

I'm proud of her. She's an amazing vocalist and I thoroughly enjoy her work.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 4:38pm

Good for her. If it's her truth, she needs to stand up for herself.

On another subject: It makes me chuckle that she has always been such a HUGE Reba fan and now she's marrying her step-son.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 4:41pm

Cool beans!

Posted: 2/19/13 at 4:42pm

I am no fan of Clive Davis- the most egotistical man in an industry inundated with self-centered beasts. But.

Clive Davis has made A LOT more stars than Shelley Clarkton has made industry giants. There aren't many (any?) label heads that have had Clive Davis' level of success with a single label, much less three.


Updated On: 2/19/13 at 04:42 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 4:44pm

What does Clive have to gain from making up stories about Clarkson?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 4:56pm

She's never struck me as very bright.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 5:19pm

Good for her! I've loved her since Idol and now I love her even more for speaking out.

No wimp Clarkson!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 5:30pm

That's one talent show winner who will not be bossed around by some persnickety old queen. What kind of name is Clive anyway; English or British or somethin' foreign, y'all?

[~tiny~]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 6:13pm

They're both full o **** imho. It's all good stories - publicity for the book, and for HER career. what else??
As someone famous once said: There's no such thing as bad publicity

[DAME]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 6:17pm

Tiny. I don't think she needs any publicity.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 6:42pm

I can't keep track of what "bullying" means anymore.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 6:43pm

It means telling someone that they have a piece of spinach in their teeth.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 6:46pm

This would have never happened between Diana Ross and Berry Gordy, let me just tell ya that!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 6:47pm

STOP THE BULLYING

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 6:47pm

or better yet STOP THE BULLSH!T!

[DAME]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 6:48pm

We need STOP THE BULLYING t-shirts with Kelly Clarkson and Beyonce logos on them.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 6:53pm

Can I have one with Charo instead? She's funner.

[DAME]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 6:54pm

Charo and Angelyne.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 6:57pm

Yaaaaaay!!!

[trentsketch]

Posted: 2/19/13 at 7:18pm

This isn't even a truth somewhere in between scenario. I've heard a few of these stories before from people who work for Clive Davis. Kelly did through a fit over Since You've Been Gone because it was straight up bubble gum pop and went against the image she wanted to craft. She was only happy with it when she got to make it more of a rock song with the new guitar arrangements.

Clive Davis did fight Kelly over the sound of My December. That was a well reported story. He basically told her it sounded like crap and he hated it. She fought back, rerecorded a few of the tracks he really hated, and he shoved it onto the shelf before she finished all the full arrangements.