[Tibbits]

Clarkson Deals With 'American Idol' Past

01/18/2006 11:58 AM, AP
David Bauder

Singer Kelly Clarkson, who vaulted to fame as the first "American Idol" winner in 2002, is now apparently refusing to let any of her songs be used by new contestants on the show.
A spokesman for Clarkson insisted it's nothing personal, but the stance prompted a public scolding from "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell.
"I think that by ignoring the show you're ignoring the audience who put you there," Cowell said on Tuesday.
Clarkson has become a major star in the past year, with her hit "Since U Been Gone" earning both massive sales and critical respect, particularly from a rock community that has looked upon "American Idol" contestants warily. Her album "Breakaway" earned a Grammy nomination for best pop vocal album.
Yet it may have cost her a good relationship with the nation's most popular talent show.
"American Idol" must obtain permission from owners of song licenses before the music can be used on the show. While many love the exposure, some artists — the Beatles, for one — like to rigidly control use of their music.
Clarkson is not allowing any of her songs to be licensed for other uses, said Roger Widynowski, a spokesman for Sony BMG. "It has nothing to do with `Idol,'" he said.
The show's executive producer, Nigel Lythgoe, said he spoke to Clarkson's manager on Friday and the manager said he was unaware of the situation. He said he's waiting for a call back.
Before "Breakaway," Clarkson fired Simon Fuller, the "American Idol" creator, as her manager, saying that although he was a "great guy," she needed someone who could give her career more attention. She teamed with Swedish hitmaker Max Martin on "Since U Been Gone."
It's the same delicate position faced by countless other musicians through show biz history, wanting to break away and show artistic independence without alienating those who gave them their start.
Cowell said he hoped Clarkson would let her music be used on "American Idol."
"No matter how talented Kelly Clarkson is, she would not be in the position she's in now without winning this show," he said. "And forget the way she feels about us or the producers or anybody else, or the terrible songwriters she alleges she was with which sold her millions of records.
"It's the public who bothered to pick up the phone to vote for her," he said. "If she refuses to give songs to be used on the show, it's like saying to every person who voted for you, `you know what? Thank you. I'm not interested in you anymore.'"
With the seemingly unquenchable public interest in "American Idol," it's not like the show really needs Clarkson. But she's plainly the best example producers can point to in proving how they can open the door to wish fulfillment.
Widynowski said he would not comment on Cowell's remarks. For his part, Cowell said, "I don't like this, when they walk away from the show and kind of forget."

Courtesy: launch.com

[Tibbits]

I think this could definitely hurt her and how people see her...

[DroppedMyGreenBean]

This is stupid. Nigel Lythgoe even said that he doesnt even know if Kelly knows about this herself. This was not a personal thing against American Idol, her songs havent been cleared to be used for anything. This sounds like more of a management decision, not specifically kelly.

Oh and by the way, last night they showed some girl singing SUBG.

[Adrian]

I thought she's a nice girl but....... I didnt expect it from her

[DroppedMyGreenBean]

The show’s executive producer, Nigel Lythgoe, said he requested songs to be used on this year’s show. He said he’s not even sure Clarkson herself is aware of the situation.

Clarkson, in an interview with The Associated Press last year, said she knows she’ll always be identified as an “American Idol,” and she has no problems with that.

“That’s where I got my start,” she said. “They always talk about the big first thing that you did. I think the only thing that I do mind is I don’t want people to only focus on that.”

[MONKEY BUSINESS]

i always voted for kelly on american idol...this is not that nice of her!!!!

[orange]

Originally posted by Adrian 4Ever

I thought she's a nice girl but....... I didnt expect it from her

maybe she isn't trying to be mean but just have control over her music? i mean, that is a possibility than her just turning cold against AI

[DroppedMyGreenBean]

Guys stop being stupid about it. Here is an article from MTV.


Simon Cowell badmouths first season's winner after she says 'Since U Been Gone' was not cleared.
Kelly Clarkson
Photo: Getty Images

Only one episode has aired from the fifth season of "American Idol" and already there's scandal.

The controversy centers on song rights and the first season's winner, Kelly Clarkson.

Although a not-so-"Idol"-like singer mishandled




Photos from this story
Kelly Clarkson since 'American Idol'


"Since U Been Gone" during Tuesday's show, Clarkson has not cleared songs from her second album, Breakaway, for use on the show.

A spokesperson for FOX was not immediately available for comment, but executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told The Associated Press he's discussing the issue with Clarkson's manager.

Clarkson's spokesperson told MTV News none of her Breakaway songs are being licensed and that the problem has nothing to do with "Idol" specifically. Besides, because publishing is a songwriter's business, Clarkson doesn't necessarily control the licensing of all her songs.

Regardless, "Idol" judge Simon Cowell has attacked the singer.

"No matter how talented Kelly Clarkson is, she would not be in the position she's in now without winning this show," he told reporters Tuesday. "It's the public who bothered to pick up the phone to vote for her. If she refuses to give songs to be used on the show, it's like saying to every person who voted for you, 'You know what? Thank you. I'm not interested in you anymore.' "

Licensing songs for television can be a complicated and costly business, but "Idol" has simplified the process by offering the same amount for the rights to all the songs sung on the show. If a publisher turns down the offer, the contestants simply must choose between cleared material.

"Rock Star: INXS," on the contrary, spent big bucks last summer for the rights to songs by artists such as the Doors and the Beatles.

"If we paid millions for the Beatles, it just wouldn't be fair," Lythgoe told MTV News last week. "That budget has gone up each year, but we can't pay anyone more."

Lythgoe said sometimes publishers have been against letting an amateur possibly butcher one of their songs in front of an audience of millions and he understands that at least until the top singers are competing.

"Once we get into the finals, we say, 'You've heard this guy sing, we'd love to do "New York State of Mind," ' " he explained. "We send Billy [Joel] his voice and then see what happens."

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
www.mtv.com/news/articles/1521111/01182006/clarkson_kelly.jhtml?headlines=true

[Mikal]

Kelly's song company has in the past declinded AI. Besides, Kelly is the only bonafied "star" to come from it and do you really want some tween butchering "Because Of You" on the show?

[Charmbracelet]

"I think that by ignoring the show you're ignoring the audience who put you there," Cowell said on Tuesday.

That's true

[dancing aLone]

I don't think it's her decision to not use her songs on the show anyway so shut up and quit whining.

[Zephyr]

I for one am glad she's distancing herself from the BS that is American Idol. I mean, if you were an artist, I don't think you'd want some no talent "singer" to destroy your songs. So, I for one applaud Kelly and or her management on this choice.

[Exodus]

I don't know if we can specifically blame Kelly Clarkson, but I am quite annoyed at how sensitive Simon Cowell is.

[Travis10]

They're her songs, therefore its her choice. But set aside the media coverge on this, I think she might have a good reason why, or one of her "co-owners" of the songs have refused the arrangement, and not her. Then there's the possibility that she has yet to fully clear the arrangement.

Plus do note, Mariah Carey has said no to the use of her songs as well.

I would personally say no as well. Kelly is still promoting "Breakaway"; she's about to release another single, and I, if I were an artist, wouldn't want my songs to be covered, especially by some mediocore singer. I would have the fear that people would connect the singer and his/her's performance to the original, and therefore would lose the recognition.

[~A*D*O*R*A~]

^Mariah's 'Hero' has been covered on X-factor here which is also a Simon Cowell Idol based format program.

I think he's just acting out on the fact that she decided he wasn't the best manager for her, attacking her personally like this when it isn't clear that she personally rejected the idea or the reasons why is uncalled for unless he knows something else.

I can't agree with some of the replies in this thread which seem to assume that the people singing it would be sub par, unless it's very different in the States, talented people get into the final stages here with only the odd exception and even then not all of their performances are bad.

This for some reason reminded of me when Avril push Kelly Clarkson out of the way at the VMAs. Thanks to you tube I can view that again and again.

Heh

[.:Froggert:.]

You have got to be kidding me. What the f.uck is her problem

She lost a lot of respect from me today


If this is true

[Ace Reject]

It's not! There's a denial going around, but I don't feel like searching for it.

[Travis10]

MTV ARTICLE!

On Wednesday afternoon (January 18), however, Clarkson's spokesperson announced that she will be clearing them.

"Kelly Clarkson was happy to hear her song 'Since U Been Gone' on 'American Idol' last night," her spokesperson said in a statement. "As far as she is concerned, there is no conflict between her and the TV show. She intended all along to license additional material to the show and will do so when asked and within reason."

[StrictMachine]

Well I mean it would be weird and sorta stupid to sing kelley songs in the actual competition, so who cares. The more she distances herself with a reality show the better if she wants a long term music career.