When The Voice began airing, there were many comparisons between it and American Idol. The singing competition shows have allowed viewers to witness a lot of talent. They also have started quite a few singing careers for their competitors. But they are still pretty different and often cause fans arguments over which show is better.
So it’s pretty interesting that the first winner of American Idol has decided to get in on The Voice action by becoming a coach. Kelly Clarkson recently revealed a personal reason why she decided to work on that show rather than the one that started her career. Here are seven reasons why she’s perfect for The Voice rather than Idol.
- Her voice is the reason for her amazing career
The pop star won the show in 2002 and could have disappeared from the public eye, like most reality show winners. She didn’t, but she still had a few stumbles. Although her debut single “Before Your Love” (released jointly with “A Moment Like This”) became the best-selling single of 2002, she was contractually obligated to star in the horrible movie, From Justin to Kelly alongside runner-up Justin Guarini.
While it’s obvious that Fox’s American Idol was a singing show, its main focus was to create a star in different entertainment mediums. But Clarkson has proven she doesn’t need to be an actress, fashion icon, or anything else. She has an amazing voice that moves people, and that’s why she still has an important place in the music industry over a decade later.
- She is the one ‘coach’ that truly knows what the contestants are going through
The Voice might have a little bit of a different format, but at the end of the day, it’s a competition reality show. All of the coaches that have come before are, like Clarkson, huge stars in the entertainment industry. But none of them actually started their careers on this type of show and then had to make their career last afterward.
Yes, the producers behind American Idol were probably a huge part of Clarkson’s success. But given she has the experience of breaking out in a reality show (as chronicled in the video above), she might actually be able to help The Voice with its disappearing winners problem.
- Clarkson’s family focus fits with the show’s family-friendly atmosphere
#RiverRose and I will announce our #NewProject tomorrow! It involves balloons, magic and a lullaby! #Clue4
A post shared by Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) on Feb 8, 2016 at 12:57pm PST
The American Idol alum revealed she chose to coach because the schedule allows her to be with her family. That’s practical, but it also gives us another reason why she’s a perfect fit. The Voice might not be a star maker, but it has accomplished recruiting judges that feel like a family, despite rotating them often.
Case in point? Blake Shelton and Adam Levine have a huge following as a duo because of their chemistry on the show. For Season 12, judges Shelton, Levine, Gwen Stefani, and Alicia Keys starred in a teaser that was purposely styled like a family sitcom. Lastly, Shelton and Stefani finding love on the show (and potentially getting married) has really separated the series from American Idol’s style of just wanting the biggest names to entertain and judge.
- She is the kind of coach who will let her team shine
There have been all kinds of celebrities on The Voice — some of which were obviously doing the show only to be more of a “personality” and promote their own work. Sometimes, that made their team suffer because there was more time spent getting to know this already famous celebrity rather than the newcomers.
But Clarkson is the type of person to strike the right balance.
- She is another coach that is all about being herself
Kelly Clarkson gestures with her hands while talking into a microphone
Kelly Clarkson is known for her down-to-earth personality.
The Voice has done a great job of finding coaches who are not just powerful singers, but who also have a distinct sense of self. Some of them are songwriters, who experience putting their emotions into lyrics. Others just know who they are as performers and haven’t strayed from that.
On the other hand, American Idol likes getting celebrities who are seen as icons and are distinct often because of a persona created by a marketing team. Clarkson somehow survived the Idol machine and has now it to another show that truly represents the kind of performer she is.
- Her career has been tested by time
Kelly Clarkson performing in a black suit while holding a microphone in one hand.
Kelly Clarkson performs. | Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Citi
The Voice has tried to branch out across different age ranges, so they have hired some young coaches along the way. But there is truly nothing like time and experience to give you a certain perspective to share with others.
Again, Clarkson having remained successful for over a decade is impressive and makes her the perfect coach.
- She didn’t want to win American Idol — for the right reason
Clarkson actually didn’t want to win the show and the reason why makes a lot of sense. “I do remember Justin [Guarini] and I having the conversation before, and I was like, ‘I don’t want to win, I don’t want to win’ because we found out we had to do a movie,” she told Entertainment Weekly, as seen above. “He really wanted to do a movie. And I really didn’t want to do a movie.”
It’s fine to be a singer and interested in other forms of entertainment. But for someone who is like Clarkson and is only interested in the music aspect, The Voice makes a perfect fit.