Kelly Clarkson has been having a grand old time as the latest judge to join The Voice‘s new season and is integrating well with the current judges (I mean, have you heard about the hijinks she and Blake Shelton get up to?). And up until a few days ago, Clarkson’s time on the show has been controversy-free, with her feedback to contestants seemingly well-received. Unfortunately, that streak ended when a now-eliminated contestant aired her grievances with Clarkson’s comments that could have potentially contributed to said elimination.
In a now-deleted Instagram post (but preserved in a screenshot that was tweeted), former Voice contestant Molly Stevens wrote what looks to be a lengthy comment that blamed Clarkson’s commentary after her performance of “Burning House” during the Battle portion of The Voice‘s competition. Stevens expressed concern that since she’s a musician who happens to be gay, Clarkson’s comparisons of her to Melissa Etheridge and the Indigo Girls (also gay musicians embraced by the LGBTQ community) were unfair and put her in a box that reflected poorly on her.
Stevens wrote, “While I’m extremely honored to be in that category of talent, I do believe that comment did us all a disservice and only threw us into a labeling trap. It felt small minded to me and exactly what I feel we need to bring attention to the world. I am a singer-songwriter who happens to be gay. And so is @melissa_etheridge and @indigogirlsmusic… But it’s a common stereotype that happens too often. People put us in boxes.”
.@mollystevens_1 I think you need to apologize to @kelly_clarkson . She has Always supported the gay community. As a fan & a gay man I am offended! Sounds like a bit of a sore loser way to go about things!! @NBCTheVoice@AtlanticRecords@GMA@CNN@billboard@MTVNews@TODAYshowpic.twitter.com/BQioGj087J
— Philip R Leodoro 🍷💔☀️ (@PhilipRLeodoro) March 27, 2018
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The Twitter user who posted the screenshot of Steven’s now-deleted comments, Philip R Leodoro, expressed dismay in his own caption, calling Steven’s a “sore loser” and demanding she apologize for her unfair comments. “@mollystevens_1 I think you need to apologize to @kelly_clarkson,” Leodoro wrote. “She has always supported the gay community. As a fan & a gay man I am offended! Sounds like a bit of a sore loser way to go about things!!”
Clarkson apparently saw that Leodoro had tagged her in his response because shortly after, she responded directly. “Wow. This really bums me out,” she wrote. “I need everyone 2 hear me & hear ALL OF THE WORDS I SAY. I compared Molly to Melissa Etheridge, Patty Griffin (a name that was left out conveniently), & the Indigo Girls purely because of the rasp in her voice & that she’s an amazing storyteller.”
Wow. This really bums me out. I need everyone 2 hear me & hear ALL OF THE WORDS I SAY. I compared Molly to Melissa Etheridge, Patty Griffin (a name that was left out conveniently), & the Indigo Girls purely because of the rasp in her voice & that she’s an amazing storyteller. https://t.co/Ci5fqDKzA3
— Kelly Clarkson 🍷💔☀️ (@kellyclarkson) March 27, 2018
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As the interaction gained attention, Stevens appeared to have a change of heart about what she said and apologized. First, Stevens commented under Clarkson’s defense, writing, “I am so sorry to have caused any pain and hurt with anyone. Learned my lesson to not process my thoughts on social media today. Especially the day after being aired on The Voice. I’m truly sorry. I hope our paths will cross soon so I can tell you this in person.”
Stevens also took to her own Twitter to issue another official apology, echoing the sentiment of the apology she made to Clarkson. “I sincerely apologize for any hurt I may have caused with my words. This was not my intention at all. For the people who know me well, you know my heart well too. I strive to live in truth and light. @kelly_clarkson I truly apologize for thinking differently. I look up to you.”
https://twitter.com/mollystevens_1/status/978791946520027136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
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With just one look at the comments under Clarkson’s and Stevens’ tweets, it’s evident fans are siding with Clarkson in this matter. She hasn’t commented further on the issue, possibly in hopes the drama dies down. Let’s hope this is the only controversy that befalls Clarkson this season, but regardless, she is a breath of fresh air on The Voice, and this incident doesn’t change that.
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