People Are So Mad At Kelly Clarkson For Saying That She ‘Spanks’ Her Children For Misbehaving
May 1, 2023 by Marissa Matozzo
Kelly Clarkson has come under fire recently for resurfaced comments about disciplining her children. During a 2018 radio interview, she admitted to spanking her kids when they misbehave, but stressed that her aim was never to “hurt” them. Fans were quick to criticize her for this parenting tactic, with many people on social media pointing out the harmful effects of spanking children.
Now, with the “Mine” singer’s new album on the way, and after her marriage to Brandon Blackstock ended in divorce, people are revisiting her comments on Twitter and becoming seemingly even more outraged. So, when did this all begin? We’ll break it down.
While speaking on Atlanta Radio station 94.1 in 2018, Clarkson discussed disciplining her daughter River Rose and son Remington Alexander in an interview. “I’m not above a spanking, which people aren’t necessarily into,” she confessed.
The Kelly Clarkson Show host continued, “I don’t mean hitting her hard, I just mean a spanking. My parents spanked me, and I did fine in life, and I feel fine about it, and I do that as well.”
She went on, acknowledging that this would not be accepted by onlookers in public, “That’s a tricky thing, when you’re out in public, because then people are like, they think that’s wrong or something, but I find nothing wrong with a spanking.”
The American Idol winner stressed that she doesn’t spank her kids at random, and explained, “I warn her, I’m like, ‘Hi, I’m going to spank you on your bottom if you don’t stop right now, this is ridiculous.'”
Clarkson’s comments may have been made several years ago, but some fans began sharing them on Twitter this week after Clarkson announced a post-divorce record and continues to open up about co-parenting and raising her children after splitting from Blackstock.
“[Spanking] is grotesque for punishing children,” one user tweeted under a link to Clarkson’s 2018 interview while another added, “spanking is abuse full stop someone tell kelly clarkson.” Someone else chimed into the debate, writing, “Just now finding out that Kelly Clarkson is apparently vocal about spanking her kids? How are you gonna write “Because of You” and “Piece by Piece” and then hit your own children?”
READ MORE: Get Ready! Kelly Clarkson Says She’s Releasing A Divorce Album With ‘Very Angry’ Songs
This controversial interview from Clarkson resurfaced shortly after the Voice coach discussed the painful effects her divorce from Blackstock (who she was married to from 2013 to 2021) on her two children.
The “Breakaway” hitmaker appeared on the March 13, 2023 episode of the Angie Martinez IRL Podcast and said, “I literally ask my kids every night when we’re snuggling, ‘Are you happy? And if you’re not, what could make you happier?’”
Clarkson shared the heartbreaking response to the question from her daughter and son, and she spoke about the importance of encouraging her children to always be honest. This, she stressed, is to help them feel more comfortable in their home following their parents’ split.
READ MORE: Fans Are Showing Support After Kelly Clarkson Reveals The ‘Hardest’ Part Of Divorce Process