Comfortable in her skin! Through the years, Kelly Clarksonhas been outspoken about body empowerment — and has used her experience to inspire others.
The "Miss Independent" singer previously spoke out about being publicly criticized for her weight when she skyrocketed to fame during season 1 of the hit competition show. "I was the biggest girl in the [American Idol cast] too," Clarkson said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2015. "And I wasn't big, but people would call me big … I've kind of always gotten that."
Clarkson added, "I think what hurts my feelings 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 Brandon Blackstock in 2013, the Texas native welcomed daughter River in 2014 and son Remington in 2016. One year later, Clarkson became a judge on The Voice. The "Stronger" singer told Glamour U.K. in June 2020 that she was at her "heaviest point" when she joined the NBC series.
0 seconds of 15 secondsVolume 0%
The Grammy winner showed off a slimmer figure in 2018, which she said came from changing her diet to "non-GMO, no pesticides, eating really organic." Later that year, Clarkson told Redbook 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 Kelly Clarkson Show host later offered advice about accepting your body as it is. "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 Glamour U.K. in June 2020. "I'm a very strong individual. I'm very confident, and I've been forced to find that in myself. "
Sign up for Us Weekly's free, daily newsletter and never miss breaking news or exclusive stories about your favorite celebrities, TV shows and more!
Scroll down to see Kelly Clarkson's body evolution through the years.
Credit: Kevin Winter/ImageDirect
For American Idol's season 1 finale, Clarkson dressed in jeans and a chic leather jacket while competing against runner-up Justin Guarini.
Credit: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage.com
Clarkson showed off her belly button ring at the Teen Choice Awards in Universal City, California.
Credit: Theo Wargo/WireImage.com
The singer paired a bikini top with a denim skirt to tape a segment for MTV's Spring Break alongside Guarini.
Credit: JS Turgeon/INF/starmaxinc.com
"I love my body. I'm very much OK with it," Clarkson said on the Today show. "I don't think artists are ever the ones who have the problem with their weight, it is other people."
Credit: Dave Hogan/Getty Images
Clarkson accepted MTV Moonman trophies for Best Female Video and Best Pop Video at the network's annual Video Music Awards in Miami.
Credit: Steve Dennett/Splash News
The performer showed off her body in a bikini during a trip to the Bahamas.
Credit: Rodrigo Varela/WireImage.com
Clarkson performed at West Palm Beach's Sound Advice Amphitheater.
Credit: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
The actress wore a white BCBG gown while at the Teen Choice Awards.
Credit: Chris McGrath/Getty Images
"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 SELF magazine. "I'm never trying to lose weight — or gain it. I'm just being!"
Credit: Snapper Media/Splash News
"I love healthy stuff and junk an equal amount," the songwriter told SELF magazine in 2008. "Whatever I'm craving, I go for it."
Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage. com
Clarkson got honest about hearing criticism from strangers. "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.
Credit: Scope Australia; PacificCoastNews.com
The "Because of You" singer wore a flowing dress over leggings in Sydney, Australia.
Credit: Splash News
Clarkson took a dip in the ocean while on vacation in Hawaii.
Credit: Cousart/JFXIMAGES.com
Clarkson filmed the video for her single, "Dark Side" in Los Angeles.
Credit: ABC/CRAIG SJODIN
"There's no secret!" Clarkson exclusively told Us Weeklyabout her weight loss. "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. "
Credit: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sony Music Nashville
"Brandon is the first guy who ever told her how beautiful and sexy she is," a source told Usabout the couple's growing romance. "She wants to look good for him."
Credit: George Pimentel/WireImage.com
Clarkson looked slimmer than ever at the 2012 MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, Canada.
Credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images
The TV host showed off her figure during a concert appearance.
Credit: AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
The TV personality arrived in Washington, D.C. to lend her vocals to Barack Obama's second Presidential Inauguration. Clarkson performed "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" at the outdoor ceremony.
Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty
The "Stronger" singer accepted the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album looking stunning in a figure-flattering black dress.
Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty
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.
Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty
The Emmy winner rocked at the CMA Music Festival in June 2013.
Credit: Tyler Golden/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank
Less than two months after her wedding to Blackstock, Clarkson stopped by The Voice to perform in a sparkling sleeved red dress and red shoes.
Credit: Wade Payne/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Clarkson showed off her baby bump while expecting her first child in 2014. She welcomed her daughter that same year and her son two years later.
Credit: imageSPACE/Shutterstock
The "Love So Soft" songstress embraced her curves in a body-hugging black dress at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas.
Credit: Jason Merritt/Radarpics/Shutterstock
Clarkson hit the Billboard Music Awards red carpet in a sparkly black dress with a high slit that showed off her legs.
Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock
The Daytime Emmy winner was all smiles in a long-sleeved black dress at the Critics Choice Awards.
Credit: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/Shutterstock
Following her split from Blackstock after seven years of marriage, 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 The Kelly Clarkson Show in February 2021. "As long as you make sure it's about the children and their best interests, then we're both on board."
Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock
"I am literally so low-key," the "Because of You" songstress told E! News 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."
