Comfortable in her skin! Through the years, has been outspoken about body empowerment — and has used her experience to inspire others.
The “Miss Independent” singer previously spoke out about during season 1 of the hit competition show. “I was the biggest girl in the [ cast] too,” Clarkson said on in 2015. “And I wasn’t big, but people would call me big … I’ve kind of always gotten that.”
Clarkson added, “I think for people is that I’ll have a meet and greet after the show, and a girl who’s bigger than me will be in the meet and greet and be like, ‘Wow, if they think you’re big, I must be so fat to them.’ And it’s like, you’re just who you are. We are who we are — whatever size.”
After getting married to in 2013, the Texas native . One year later, Clarkson became a judge on . The “Stronger” singer told. in June 2020 that she was at her “heaviest point” when she joined the NBC series.
The Grammy winner , which she said came from changing her diet to “non-GMO, no pesticides, eating really organic.” Later that year, Clarkson told that she doesn’t equate looking skinny with being healthy.
“It’s when I’m fat that I’m happy. People think, ‘Oh, there’s something wrong with her. She’s putting on weight,'” she said at the time. “I’m like, ‘Oh, no! I’m sorry, but that represents happiness in my emotional world.’ For me, when I’m skinny is usually when I’m not doing well.”
The host later . “There are always things that happen that come up that bum you out, but at the same time, you’ve got to recognize it’s made you who you are,” Clarkson told in June 2020. “I’m a very strong individual. I’m very confident, and I’ve been forced to find that in myself.”
Scroll down to see Kelly Clarkson’s body evolution through the years.
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For s season 1 finale, Clarkson dressed in jeans and a chic leather jacket while competing against runner-up .
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Clarkson showed off her belly button ring at the Teen Choice Awards in Universal City, California.
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The singer paired a bikini top with a denim skirt to tape a segment for MTV's Spring Break alongside Guarini.
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"I love my body. I'm very much OK with it," Clarkson said on the show. "I don't think artists are ever the ones who have the problem with their weight, it is other people."
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Clarkson accepted MTV Moonman trophies for Best Female Video and Best Pop Video at the network's annual Video Music Awards in Miami.
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The performer showed off her body in a bikini during a trip to the Bahamas.
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Clarkson performed at West Palm Beach's Sound Advice Amphitheater.
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The actress wore a white BCBG gown while at the Teen Choice Awards.
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"When people talk about my weight, I'm like, 'You seem to have a problem with it.' I don't. I'm fine," Clarkson told . "I'm never trying to lose weight — or gain it. I'm just being!"
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"I love healthy stuff and junk an equal amount," the songwriter told SELF magazine in 2008. "Whatever I'm craving, I go for it."
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Clarkson got honest about . "For seven years it's been happening. It's like, 'OK cool, the fat joke,'" she told Australian radio hosts Kyle and Jackie O at the time.
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The "Because of You" singer wore a flowing dress over leggings in Sydney, Australia.
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Clarkson took a dip in the ocean while on vacation in Hawaii.
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Clarkson filmed the video for her single, "Dark Side" in Los Angeles.
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"There's no secret!" Clarkson exclusively told . "It's just trying to eat a little better and work out a little more. But no matter what size I am I love performing no matter how big or little I am! I feel good."
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"Brandon is the first guy who ever told her how beautiful and sexy she is," a source told . "She wants to look good for him."
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Clarkson looked slimmer than ever at the 2012 MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, Canada.
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The TV host showed off her figure during a concert appearance.
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The TV personality arrived in Washington, D.C. to lend her vocals to 's second Presidential Inauguration. Clarkson performed "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" at the outdoor ceremony.
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The "Stronger" singer accepted the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album looking stunning in a figure-flattering black dress.
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Clarkson showed off her figure in April 2013 at the Academy of Country Music Awards. She performed at the event in sleeved, teal lace gown, which showed off her legs.
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The Emmy winner rocked at the CMA Music Festival in June 2013.
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to Blackstock, Clarkson stopped by to perform in a sparkling sleeved red dress and red shoes.
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Clarkson showed off her baby bump while expecting her first child in 2014. She
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The "Love So Soft" songstress embraced her curves in a body-hugging black dress at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas.
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Clarkson hit the Billboard Music Awards red carpet in a sparkly black dress with a high slit that showed off her legs.
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The Daytime Emmy winner was all smiles in a long-sleeved black dress at the Critics Choice Awards.
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Following , Clarkson reflected on the "tough" process of coparenting with her ex.
"I know with me and Brandon, it's just a difficult thing because we're in different places, and it's like, we both agree on the main things, but it's a hard thing when you're not together all the time, for me personally," she said during an episode of in February 2021. "As long as you make sure it's about the children and their best interests, then we're both on board.”
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"I am literally so low-key," the "Because of You" songstress told in April 2022. "I know it's my big 4-0, but I've had a crazy two years, so I just wanted a chill birthday. I'm going hiking with my friends, and that's it, y'all. And we're doing a dinner with my band, so that's it."
