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Destined to Sing
RD: That was a very mature and practical way to go.
Clarkson: I grew up fast. I was really responsible. I had a job right when I could have a job. If I could've worked sooner, I would've. It's good because now I appreciate everything.
RD: What kind of job?
Clarkson: I mowed lawns. My stepdad's a contractor; I worked with him building porches. When I was 16, I worked in a movie theater until I moved to L.A. I've had other jobs too -- worked for Papa John's, Subway, Starbucks, sold vacuums door to door.
RD: Really? How was that?
Clarkson: It sucked.
RD: When did you decide you wanted to be a singer?
Clarkson: I was 13. At one of our high school shows, I sang Mariah Carey's "Vision of Love." When I finished, this old man, obviously someone's grandpa, came up to me and said, "God has given you this gift. You've got to sing. You're destined to sing." Nobody had ever said anything like that. That just rocked my world. I kept singing. Then I started classical training, because we didn't have a lot of money and if I was going to go to college, I'd have to get a scholarship. I ended up getting full rides to UT, UNT and Berklee, but then I didn't use them.
RD: Why not?
Clarkson: When it came time to graduate, I'd already written so much music and wanted to try on my own. And I figured you're never too old to go to college.
RD: In a society where most female pop stars are as skinny as sticks, you don't seem to care.
Clarkson: I fluctuate like every normal woman on the planet. I hate hanging around girls who only talk about their weight. I've always been curvy, which I like, and I think you should be healthy, obviously.
RD: When Idol began, it seemed to be about the American Dream and amateurs with talent showing their stuff.
Clarkson: It was! I did my own hair and makeup for the first half of the shows. What you saw us wearing was our stuff from home. We'd be in a magazine under the heading "What Was She Thinking?" I was like, I'm thinking I ain't got no money. I think that's what made it fun. It felt like you were at camp with a bunch of friends.
RD: Where's home these days?
Clarkson: I live in Texas on 50 acres. My house is my sanctuary. When I drive into my driveway, I turn my phone off. No one can get ahold of me. I live with my brother, and he's the coolest thing on the planet.
RD: Is it weird living with your brother?
Clarkson: No. He's fun to live with. We're like little kids. We buy toys, like go-karts. We build tree houses with zip lines. We go skeet shooting, we go bowling. I love karaoke bars. We play Guitar Hero.
RD: Living with your brother, dedicated to your music. So there's nobody special right now?
Clarkson: I've had great boyfriends. I've been "in like" a lot, but I've just never been in love. I don't want kids right now. I'm not looking to get married. I'm not rushing. Something cool is going to come along.
RD: What's next?
Clarkson: For the album after this one? We've already written a lot of the songs; it's kind of a country-blues-rock thing. Everyone should always expect something different from me. Who knows what it'll be? Well, I do.
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