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Kelsea Ballerini shared a lesson she learned from Kelly Clarkson when she appeared for an interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show on Monday (November 4).
Ballerini previously toured with Clarkson, and the pair teamed up with Carly Pearce to perform “You’re Drunk Go Home,” a collaboration that appeared on Ballerini’s fourth studio album, at the 2022 CMA Awards in Nashville, Tennessee. The “First Rodeo” artist also saw Clarkson perform at an arena in Knoxville, Tennessee. Ballerini said she was a young teen at that time, and one quote from Clarkson stood out to her.
“I learned so much about touring by opening for you. I really did,” Ballerini told Clarkson. “I wanna tell you a story. So, I remember — I think I’ve told you this story — I saw you in Knoxville. I think I was like 13 or 14. The air conditioning in the arena was out. It was so hot. People were lined up to put water on their face in the bathroom. You were sounding better than the record. And then you just stopped and you go, ‘if any of you could smell me right now, none of you would be here.’ And it was the first time I saw an artist on stage be a human. I’m so serious. ...I’ve always been drawn to that, and I was like, ‘if I ever get to be on a stage, I wanna be like that.’”
Throughout the interview, the pair also spoke about Ballerini's Women's Health cover story, her new album, her upcoming debut as a coach on The Voice and more. Ballerini joined Clarkson shortly after taking the stage at Madison Square Garden in New York City for her sold out album release show. The concert took place days after Ballerini delivered her fifth studio album, Patterns. In 2025, she’ll hit the road on her first-ever headlining arena tour with special guests Maisie Peters and Marynn Taylor.
Watch Ballerini’s full interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show — and her stunning duet with Clarkson — below.