Kelly Clarkson
Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage

Kelly Clarkson's post-"American Idol" career has been full of surprises, and judging from a recent interview with Chicago radio station Kiss FM 103.5, her next album may contain even more — like a departure from her signature rock/pop sound.

"Yeah, we're already working on it," she told DJ Ty Bentli. "We tour throughout 2010 overseas and then we actually are probably going to have released the record in the fall of 2010," Clarkson said of next year's agenda.

Aside from writing some of her own songs, the singer is currently penning tracks for other artists, noting that she sometimes keeps the tracks for herself if she really likes them.

"What's really weird is right now I've got a really cool [music] publisher I work with that has hooked me up with a lot of different writers that do a lot of tracks and stuff," she said. "So we've been writing for other artists but then I end up liking it so much that I can't give them away, but they're really different. The next record is probably going to be really different."

Clarkson did not specify which artists she's been writing for. And while the "American Idol" alum is heavily involved in the creative process, she did confess that her hectic schedule can sometimes interfere with how much she actually gets to write on a record.

"If I end up liking stuff that I've done I'll include it, but if I like other stuff better then I'll just have more of that. Sometimes you're just more inspired, I guess, and especially if you have records that come out real close together, it might be more other people's songs because there's not enough time to write and sing and perform and do everything," she said.

The North American leg of Clarkson's All I Ever Wanted Tour ends in New Orleans on December 13, and the singer begins her lengthy overseas jaunt — which is scheduled to cover Europe, Australia and New Zealand over 10 weeks — in England on February 7.

• Kelly Clarkson Plays Hammerstein Ballroom In New York

• Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson performs at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Tuesday
Photo: Jason Kempin/ Getty Images

Kelly Clarkson brings everyone together: the young, the old, the gay, the straight, the hipsters, the teenyboppers, the Glamberts, the Allen Nation. The proof was at her All I Ever Wanted New York City tour stop Tuesday night, where a sold-out crowd of 2,500 concertgoers representing all walks of life collectively screamed their heads off for more than 90 minutes.

Predictably, the Hammerstein Ballroom exploded into a giant karaoke party every time Kelly tore through one of her mega-hits — and she passionately tackled them all, even "Miss Independent," from her debut album. But the crowd was just as happy when Clarkson visited the deep cuts of her latest album, All I Ever Wanted. In fact, Kelly announced that she just had to include "Impossible" on tour because the fans demanded it.

	See Kelly Clarkson Rock NYC

Kelly's 11-piece backing band — featuring a horn section and a turntablist, among others — sounded tight, but the real star of the show was Clarkson's pitch-perfect vocals, which she used to great effect in her expansive set. Her low chest-voice cooed the verses of "Breakaway" while her upper register got an intense workout on tunes like show-opener "All I Ever Wanted" and "Cry." Kelly also showcased an emotive falsetto that moved some fans to tears. (Important to note that Clarkson is only three shows into this leg of the tour. Time will tell if she can keep her voice in tip-top shape. If she sounds this good by the time 2010 rolls around, the government should step in and investigate her as an illegal alien from another planet.)

Not shying away from the things that made her famous to begin with — covers — Kelly saved plenty of room for showstopping renditions of other artists' tunes. In the 20-song set, Clarkson crooned a sexy, bluesy version of Patsy Cline's "Walkin' After Midnight," a rousing White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" and a soulful, partially a cappella Black Keys' "Lies." Kelly even went so far as to name-check the Black Keys' album, Attack & Release, and urged her fans to run out and pick up a copy, since the reaction to Clarkson's live cover was so overwhelmingly positive. Kelly told the crowd, "I really love music. I like all kinds."

But it was an early mash-up of two of her "favorite" songs — Alanis Morissette's "That I Would Be Good" and Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody" — that garnered the biggest applause of the covers, perhaps because the lyrics felt especially meaningful coming from Clarkson's lips. Lines like "That I would be good even if I got the thumbs down/ That I would be good even if I gained 10 pounds" addressed two of Clarkson's biggest tabloid scandals — her battle with Clive Davis over My December and her fluctuating weight — while Kings of Leon's refrain of "You know that I could use somebody" felt all the more heart-wrenching surrounded by Alanis' verses about insecurity and self-doubt. Kelly gave all the credit to her music director, Jason Halbert, who helped Clarkson dream up the effective arrangement. (He also appeared onstage as the keyboard player throughout the night.)

Elsewhere, Halbert and Kelly rearranged her own tunes without changing them beyond recognition. The most noticeable redo was the sole My December song of the night, "Never Again," which was given a disco-pop makeover to help it fit in with the electronic-oriented tracks from her latest album. A couple of her ballads, "Already Gone" and "Behind These Hazel Eyes," were stripped down to just guitars and vocal. Kelly claimed "Hazel" was rearranged to maximize audience sing-along potential. It worked.

Ironically, it was two of her own songs that stuck out like sore thumbs on the set list. The back-to-back bounce of "Ready" and "I Want You" was the closest thing to a bathroom-break opportunity during the tight show, with the latter sounding like a Duffy throwaway and the former suffering from a jaunty arrangement that sounded more like a theme song to an '80s sitcom than the way it sounds on her album.

Luckily, Kelly quickly brought the show back into focus with a stunning "Because of You," which featured a glory note so powerful, it literally stopped the show. Clarkson paused for almost 30 seconds because the audience erupted in such wild applause. Reba McEntire, who herself had a hit with "Because of You," was spotted in the VIP section beaming with pride.

Despite all the angst and drama on display in her popular songs, Kelly's stage banter was anything but dreary. The girl next door made every audience member feel like her best friend, confessing that she had just guzzled down a blueberry protein shake before the gig. "People in the front row, if you see things in my teeth ... I brush my teeth three times a day! I'm not a dirty girl," she assured the crowd.

The main set wrapped up with an irresistible one-two punch of Breakaway standout "Walk Away" and the insanely successful "Since U Been Gone." (You don't need me to tell you that thousands of sweaty people jumped up and down in unison during that one.)

An out-of-place DJ scratched for a couple of minutes before the encore, giving Kelly a chance to change her outfit, and perhaps subliminally reminding "Idol" fans that Blake Lewis released his sophomore album earlier that day.

Clarkson closed the show with "My Life Would Suck Without You," turning the quirky love song into a love letter to her fans who have stuck with her all these years, through thick and thin, My December and beyond. On Tuesday night at the Hammerstein Ballroom, Kelly made it clear that her life would suck without us, and music fans' lives would suck without Kelly Clarkson.

• Kelly Clarkson Plays Hammerstein Ballroom In New York

• Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ Getty Images

NEW YORK — Kelly Clarkson is looking to put all this Ryan Tedder drama behind her.

For the uninitiated, much was made earlier this summer when people noticed the similarities between Clarkson's "Already Gone" and Beyoncé's "Halo," similarities that seemed more than coincidental, considering both songs were written by the same guy: OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder.

So many people began to talk about it that eventually Clarkson weighed in, saying she had no idea about Beyoncé's song when she was recording hers, but that, when she heard it -- and noted how similar it was to hers -- she immediately called Tedder and asked him, "Why would you do that?"

Tedder responded, calling Clarkson's claims "hurtful and absurd," and then, both artists' respective camps must have clamped on the muzzles, because we haven't heard a peep from either one since.

So when MTV News caught up with Clarkson on the "VH1 Divas" red carpet, we asked her if she had settled her differences with Tedder or if she would advise her fellow "American Idol" alumni against working with him in the future as a result of the controversy.

"Oh no. I have a lot of songs that I've done with Ryan, and they all sound very different. It's just, unfortunately, in that situation, they sound exactly the same," she laughed. "But our melodies are different. Beyoncé and my melodies are different [on the songs]."

Clarkson did say that she'll be performing a different version of "Already Gone" on her upcoming tour, which launches October 2 in Connecticut, but that she made the change because she wanted to try a new, appropriately diva-fied spin on the tune.

"Unfortunately, it comes out where a lot of songs sound similar and, I don't know, I want to sound a little authentic, so we changed it," she said. "It's a little acoustic, and then it breaks out into this big, beautiful, diva-esque thing."

And the new version of "Gone" won't be the only change on her tour. She's also throwing a new cover or two into the mix, one of which is sure to delight her (many) indie admirers.

"I'm going to do a Black Keys song this time out," she said. "I don't want to give away which one, though. It's a soulful, bluesy one, which is all their songs, really."

If you missed "VH1 Divas" on Thursday night, don't fret: Tune in to VH1 on Friday (September 18) at 7 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m. or Sunday at 1 p.m. to see the Divas in action.

• Miley, Kelly Clarkson And More Bring It In 'VH1 Divas'

• Miley Cyrus, Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Hudson, More Celebrate VH1 Divas

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Miley Cyrus
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images

Four years after the TV special last aired, "VH1 Divas" returned to the airwaves with Paula Abdul assuming host duties and a slew of fierce performances by Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Leona Lewis and Jordin Sparks.

Making a return to prime time more than a month after leaving "American Idol," Abdul began her emcee gig with a dance routine set to her vintage hits. Starting with "Cold Hearted," she segued into a performance of "Opposites Attract" with MC Skat Kat -- familiar to anyone who remembers the 1989 music video — dancing and singing on a screen behind her. From there, Abdul hit "Straight Up" and "Forever Your Girl," ending the medley as her backup dancer picked her up and lifted her toward the ceiling.

"I'm Paula Abdul — and this is not 'American Idol!' " she said to begin her opening remarks.

The first hour of "Divas" showcased solo performances by the artists, while the second half mostly featured duets between new and older generations. Cyrus was the final solo act to appear, and in a video played before her song, she said, "My diva demands? I just want Frosted Flakes!"

Upping the energy factor in the room, Cyrus rocked out "Party in the USA" as she danced in a short black skirt alongside dancers in top hats and sleeveless tux shirts. Sheryl Crow joined Cyrus onstage for "If It Makes You Happy" as the show began to wrap up. The two looked like nothing if not mother and daughter.

Earlier in the first hour, Kelly Clarkson started out by busting into a slow-building version of "Already Gone" that had the "Idol" winner standing in an emerald gown and raising her hands to the roof as she nailed her high notes. Clarkson and Melissa Etheridge then closed the show with a hard-rocking take on "Bring Me Some Water."

After giving birth to a son in August, Jennifer Hudson, wearing skintight leather pants, kicked off the evening's diva displays with "Spotlight," a soul-soaked cut from her 2008 album of the same name. J-Hud got to sing with the night's only male artist — Stevie Wonder, playing the piano with his signature smile on display — as the duo traded off lyrics on Stevie's "All in Love Is Fair."

Jordin Sparks had more than a dozen backup dancers grinding behind her while the 19-year-old strutted to and fro across the stage during "S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)," from Battlefield. She had only one partner for her second performance, country singer Martina McBride, and together they took on McBride's chart-topper "A Broken Wing."

Adele pulled off a virtuosic version of "Hometown Glory" that drew oohs and ahhs from the crowd at the Howard Gilman Opera House at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz had earlier declared September 17 "VH1 Divas Celebration Day in Brooklyn, USA." Adele appeared again with a guitar-strumming India.Arie for a reggae-flecked rendition of "Video."

Leona Lewis sang "Happy," then returned after the commercial break to sing "True Colors" with the song's 1986 originator, Cyndi Lauper. The women held hands as they shared the final lines.

Paula's funniest moment of the night came when she danced her way onstage in a short blond wig, playfully imitating Ellen DeGeneres, who replaced her as a judge on "Idol."

"Why you all staring at me? Can't a girl try out a new job?" Abdul said while lounging on a talk-show-style couch. "All kidding aside, nothing but love, Ellen. I wish you the best of luck and congratulations on the new gig! And you got to call me if you have any Simon [Cowell] problems, because I know him best."

If you missed "VH1 Divas" on Thursday night, don't fret: Tune in to VH1 on Friday (September 18) at 7 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m. or Sunday at 1 p.m. to see the Divas in action.

• Miley, Kelly Clarkson And More Bring It In 'VH1 Divas'

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Kanye West at the 2009 Video Music Awards
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ FilmMagic

It's no surprise "Kanye's" and "#teamtaylor" are among Twitter's top 10 trending topics early Monday morning (September 14) following Kanye West's outburst at the Video Music Awards, where he interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech for Best Female Video to protest on behalf of Beyoncé.

In addition to the outcry of fan support for Swift, fellow celebrities continue to bolster the 19-year-old singer via Twitter and blog messages. The latest celebrity to come to Swift's defense is fellow VMA nominee Kelly Clarkson, who penned an open letter to West on her blog.

"Dear Kanye, what happened to you as a child??" Clarkson wrote. "Did you not get hugged enough?? Something must have happened to make you this way and I think we're all just curious as to what would make a grown man go on national television and make a talented artist, let alone teenager, feel like sh--. I mean, I've seen you do some pretty sh---y things, but you just keep amazing me with your tactless, a--hole ways. It's absolutely fascinating how much I don't like you. I like everyone. I even like my a--hole ex that cheated on me over you ... which is pretty odd since I don't even personally know you. The best part of this evening is that you weren't even up for THIS award and yet you still have a problem with the outcome. Is winning a Moonman that much of a life goal?? You can have mine if it will shut you up. Is it that important, really??

"I was actually nominated in the same category that Taylor won, and I was excited for her ... so why can't you be??" the letter continued. "I'm not even mad at you for being an a--hole ... I just pity you because you're a sad human being. On a side note, Beyoncé has always been a class act and proved again tonight that she still is. Go TEXAS!! Taylor Swift, you outsell him ... that's why he's bitter. You know I love your work! Keep it up girl!"

Immediately following the incident, celebrities like Katy Perry, Pink and Paramore's Haley Williams took to their Twitter accounts to express distaste for the stunt. Swift's close friend, country artist Kellie Pickler, tweeted, "Tator Tot, you handled yourself with Grace. Kanye, go grow some f-ing balls, bi---! don't mess w/my lil sis!!"

Mary-Kate Olsen took a more diplomatic approach, praising Beyoncé for giving Swift the chance to finish her speech. "I'm so glad Beyoncé gave Taylor her moment," Olsen tweeted. "She knows what's best!" "The Hills" star Spencer Pratt acknowledged that even he wouldn't pull a stunt like that. "Let's be very clear: King Spencer would never do anything like what Kanye just did to a sweet soul like Taylor!" Pratt tweeted.

The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards might have wrapped, but the party is far from over. Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes updates, party reports and much more.

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Jennifer Hudson
Photo: Harrison Funk/ WireImage

The newly revamped VH1 Divas show is getting more divalicious with every new artist added to the already A-list lineup. The latest addition is Jennifer Hudson, who will join fellow "American Idol" alums Jordin Sparks and Kelly Clarkson for the big show on September 17, hosted by none other than former "American Idol" judge, Paula Abdul.

And as if it that weren't enough girl power for one stage, VH1 announced that Sheryl Crow, Cyndi Lauper and Melissa Etheridge will also be joining divas Miley Cyrus, Adele and Leona Lewis.

When the show airs live from the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York, the night's presenters will include Lauren Conrad, Whitney Port, Toni Braxton and Kathy Griffin. Also scheduled to appear are actor Ryan Kwanten, who plays Jason Stackhouse on "True Blood," and the cast of "Fame."

In August, Sparks talked to MTV News about how excited she was to make her Divas debut in the first such concert since one held back in 2004 in Las Vegas. "I'm so stoked," she said. "I remember hearing about the Divas shows and watching them when I could, but I usually had to go to sleep when I was in school, so I couldn't usually watch them. ... I'm so excited. It's going to be so much fun."

Sparks was also thrilled about getting the chance to see Abdul again. "I'm so excited to see her. I can't wait to give her a huge hug," she said. "I love Paula."

• Jennifer Hudson
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Joe Jonas
Photo: Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images

The "American Idol" guest judge stories are coming at a dizzying rate these days. Shania Twain was the latest to sign up for a stint on the show, following on the heels of Victoria Beckham, Katy Perry and Mary J. Blige. Now the Los Angeles Times' Show Tracker blog is reporting that two more pop stars are likely to grab temporary seats behind the judges' table as well.

According to the report, Joe Jonas and Kelly Clarkson are nearing a deal to appear on the show alongside Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi, in the wake of Paula Abdul's departure.

Reached by MTV News, a Fox spokesman declined to comment on the Times story. A spokesman for the Jonas Brothers had not responded to MTV News' request for comment at press time.

This wouldn't be the first "Idol" appearance for the Jonas Brothers: They last appeared in 2008 during the season seven finale. The band has been on tour since June to promote their album, Lines, Vines and Trying Times, and will continue through August until heading to Europe in November.

Clarkson, of course, has a long history on the show, having won the inaugural season and last appearing on the show in March to perform "My Life Would Suck Without You" from her new album, All I Ever Wanted. However, she did recently say that she thought Abdul's departure was "drama." The singer is currently on a summer tour that is set to run until mid-December.

The blog report does not indicate when Jonas and Clarkson might appear on the show. Blige has already turned up for an appearance in Atlanta, while Beckham took on the role in Boston. A date for Perry's turn as a judge has not yet been set.

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Kelly Clarkson (file)
Photo: Getty Images

Kelly Clarkson is a longtime fan of the "Twilight" series — she's even reported to be under consideration for the upcoming "New Moon" soundtrack.

And Clarkson took her love to the stage last weekend when she brought out a Robert Pattinson cutout and serenaded it during her song "I Want You" at her concert in Springfield, Illinois, according to "Twilight" fan blog WTForks.com.

With the words "You want me?" written on the cutout's chest, Clarkson sang to and cuddled it. She then addressed the crowd, sharing with them the fact that she finds Edward "cute."

"OK, so if you don't know who this is, this is Edward Cullen from 'Twilight,' " she said. "He's so cute!"

Last month during an appearance on VH1, Clarkson, who has previously blogged about her love of the books, said, "I am a nerd about 'Twilight.' " She even discussed the rumors that she was being considered for the "New Moon" soundtrack, but noted that she only wanted to do it if she had the right song to fit the movie.

"I did [want to get a song on the soundtrack]," she said. "But here's the thing, I'm such a nerd over soundtracks and 'Twilight' in general, I don't want to ruin it. So, if nothing fits the soundtrack songwise — if it wouldn't fit the movie, then I don't want something on there. But if it would, then I'd love it 'cause I'm such a huge fan."

• The Robert Pattinson Photo-Biography

• Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson on the cover of <i>Self</i>
Photo: Self

In the September issue of Self magazine, Kelly Clarkson opens up about her appearance and the criticism she's received, but it's the photograph on the cover that has everyone buzzing.

After a few bloggers wrote that Clarkson's image appeared to be digitally altered for the cover, the magazine's editor in chief admitted to giving the first "American Idol" champ's appearance a touch-up. "Yes, of course we do retouching," Lucy Danziger responded to the criticism. "Did we alter her appearance? Only to make her look her personal best."

Despite the criticism over the retouched photo, Danziger says that Clarkson is "the picture of confidence. I think this photo is the truest we have ever put out there on the newsstand."

In the Self article, Clarkson discusses her weight issues, noting that if anyone has a problem with it, it's the people who talk about it constantly. "When people talk about my weight, I'm like, 'You seem to have a problem with it; I don't. I'm fine!' " she said. "My happy weight changes — sometimes I eat more, sometimes I play more."

She also shares that when she does hit the gym, it's not to please her critics, but instead to please herself. "I do it totally for my psyche," she explained. "I'm much better when those endorphins are going. It's a release. And I also love food, so there's a payoff!"

And she says that when she does lose weight, it's completely unintentional. "For me, it's the times when I'm not paying attention that I end up losing weight. But I'm never trying to lose weight — or gain it. I'm just being!"

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

• Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

While most former "American Idol" contestants have expressed sadness over Paula Abdul's departure from the show, season-one winner Kelly Clarkson said she thinks the announcement is just some good old-fashioned theater.

"Are they trying to do that for drama?" she said on Sirius radio's "Morning Mashup Show" when asked about Abdul's departure. "I totally think they're doing that for drama. I know those producers — they're doing that for drama. She's totally probably going to come back."

Clarkson also said she has nothing but love for songwriting collaborator and "Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi, who most recently co-wrote Clarkson's hit, "I Do Not Hook Up."

"Kara I love. I think it's a cool aspect [of the show]," she said. "She's so great to work with. She's a great writer, a great singer as well. She's just worked in the industry so much."

This past season's winner, Kris Allen, recently stopped by the MTV News offices to talk about how miss he'll miss Abdul.

"I heard about it on Twitter, and I think it's sad, you know? Paula's been a part of the show for a long time, since the beginning, and I think the show will miss her, I really do," he said. "But the show will go on, for sure. I think it will still do great, and Paula will do great things too."

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