Kelly Clarkson Likes Compliments About Her Looks, Jokes ‘I Was Fat Before’ as She Recalls HR Fight

Kelly Clarkson wants to break away from the official playbook of giving and receiving compliments about physical appearance.

While performing in New Jersey on Saturday, May 10, The Voice coach, 43, began chatting away with an audience member – who praised her “sexy” appearance.

Soon after, Clarkson explained that she can’t always admire other people’s looks aloud on the set of her eponymous NBC talk show.

“Every time I go to an HR meeting, I’m like, ‘How have I not been fired?’” Clarkson joked during her concert at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena via People. “I grew up on the road at 19 years old, you know what I’m saying? I’m like, ‘Oh, that is inappropriate. I would never.’”

“But they also say you’re not allowed to say someone looks attractive,” Clarkson continued. “I say f*** that because some of those bitches are out here working, and we’re trying, and I want every motherf***er that passes me to go, ‘Damn. Well done.’”

Before continuing on with the show, Clarkson recalled “nearly getting in a fight” with an HR representative over the topic.

“They were like, ‘Well, it might make people feel bad that they looked bad before,’” Clarkson recalled. “I was fat before, so I’m saying I want you to say, ‘Damn.’”

All jokes aside, Clarkson made it clear that there’s “nothing wrong” with anyone’s bodies. She also pointed out that she “felt very confident” before her recent weight loss.

“I felt fine both ways, but I’m just saying it’s a lot more fun with clothes now,” she said. “And I’ve been working on it.”

As she continued on with her setlist, Clarkson thanked the fan for the compliment and promised she “will not be calling HR” about the comment.

“It is not a joke,” she said. “I know HR is not a joke, but it is really funny some of the things they talk about and we’re like, ‘Oh no. We would never.’”

Us Weekly has reached out to The Kelly Clarkson Show for comment.

In May 2024, Clarkson invited The View moderator Whoopi Goldberg onto her talk show. During their chat, the pair discussed weight loss with the former American Idol winner revealing she’s taking a weight-loss medication that is not Ozempic.

“Everybody thinks it’s Ozempic, but it’s not,” she said. “It’s something else. But it’s something that aids in helping break down the sugar.”

Clarkson noted that her doctor “chased” her for two years asking her to take medication, but she always was too “afraid” of it.

“I already have thyroid problems,” she added. “I was afraid.”