Kelly Clarkson has been one of the biggest names in pop music for over 20 years now. Ever since winning the first season of American Idol in 2002, Clarkson has gone on to have an incredibly successful music career, selling over 25 million albums worldwide and notching over 100 Billboard chart hits.
Along with her powerhouse vocals, Clarkson has also become known for her bold, confident attitude and her inspirational messages of self-acceptance and body positivity. She has frequently spoken out about the pressures women face in the entertainment industry and how important it is to embrace yourself as you are.
Throughout her time in the spotlight, Clarkson’s weight and body image have often been a topic of discussion and scrutiny by the media and public. As her weight has fluctuated over the years, there has been constant curiosity and speculation about just how much Clarkson weighs now.
Kelly Clarkson’s Music Career
Let’s first take a quick look back at Clarkson’s illustrious music career over the past two decades:
- Won the inaugural season of American Idol in 2002 at age 20.
- Released her smash hit debut single “A Moment Like This” shortly after her Idol victory, which went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- Her debut album Thankful was released in 2003 and certified 2x platinum in the U.S.
- Her second album Breakaway released in 2004 cemented her status as a pop superstar with hits like “Since U Been Gone” and “Because of You.” It sold over 12 million copies worldwide.
- Clarkson has since released 7 more studio albums, with countless hits and Grammy Awards under her belt.
- She has also been a coach on The Voice since 2018.
Now at age 40, Kelly Clarkson is undeniably one of the most prominent and acclaimed pop singers of her generation. She has maintained an incredibly active music career for 20 straight years at the top of the industry.
Kelly Clarkson’s Weight Changes Over the Years
Throughout her time in the public eye, Kelly Clarkson’s weight has been a constant point of discussion. When she first auditioned for American Idol in 2002, a then-20-year-old Clarkson weighed around 145 lbs at 5′ 3″ tall.
Over the course of her career, Clarkson’s weight has fluctuated up and down, which is quite normal for most people. Here is a general overview of how her weight has changed over the past two decades:
- Early career (2002-2006): Stayed around 140-150 lbs
- Late 2000s: Rose to nearly 200 lbs after taking a break from her career
- Early 2010s: Lost weight, dropping back down to 150 lbs
- 2015-2016: Pregnancy led to more weight gain up to 200 lbs
- 2017-2020: Used diet and exercise to get back to 160-170 lbs range
- 2021: Suffered health issues and thyroid problems, gained 30+ lbs
So Clarkson’s weight has really run the gamut from 140-210 lbs at various points over the past 20 years. Weight fluctuation is normal, but the constant public scrutiny and body shaming around her shape has caused distress.
Kelly Addresses Body Shaming & Weight Struggles
Kelly Clarkson has been very candid about her battles with weight and the damage caused by body shaming. In recent years she has emerged as a champion for body positivity and acceptance.
In one interview she revealed:
“When I was really skinny, I wanted to kill myself. I was miserable, like inside and out, for four years of my life. But no one cared, because aesthetically you make sense.”
She said she suffered from an endless parade of people shaming her weight gain:
“It’s like, you just are who you are. I’ve had kids. And I’ve dealt with thyroid issues in the past. At the end of the day, I’m a great singer and it doesn’t really matter what I look like.”
Kelly also went after people who mocked her weight online after her appearance on The Voice:
“Well, I hope she’s happy. That’s all I have to say to that person…I’m awesome. It doesn’t bug me.”
She has urged people to accept diverse body types:
“It’s like we’re normalizing looking unhealthy because looking healthy looks overweight now. It’s just ridiculous.”
Recent Weight Struggles Due to Health Problems
Over the past couple of years, Clarkson has publicly discussed some new health struggles that have caused her to gain even more weight.
In 2021, she shared that she was suffering from thyroid issues as well as adrenal fatigue. An underactive thyroid can definitely trigger unexplained weight gain along with exhaustion.
Kelly also went through emotional turmoil during her high-profile divorce from Brandon Blackstock that year. Stress levels can impact weight significantly.
In an interview she confessed:
“It’s an ongoing cycle…I have to say that right now, at this moment in my life, I’m sleeping and feeling better than I have in over a decade, despite all that is going on in my personal life.”
So between the thyroid problems, adrenal fatigue, emotional stress, and other health factors, Clarkson unfortunately gained a notable amount of weight over the past year and a half.
How Much Does Kelly Clarkson Weigh Now in 2022?
So the big question is – with all the health struggles and fluctuations, how much does Kelly Clarkson weigh now in 2022?
Though her exact weight is not officially confirmed, various reports estimate that Clarkson currently weighs around 200-220 lbs at 5′ 3″ tall. This would put her at the higher end of her weight range throughout her career.
Some of Kelly’s recent candid quotes also hint that she has put on 30-40 lbs in the past year due to her health and personal issues. For example, she told People Magazine:
“It’s really annoying because I’m working so hard at everything else in my life.”
She also tweeted:
“I gained a lot of weight and I recognize I need to make some lifestyle changes.”
So although Clarkson has not stepped on a scale and revealed her exact weight, estimates put her around 200-220 lbs in 2022 based on her body type and recent health challenges.
Kelly’s Response to Her Current Weight
True to form, Kelly Clarkson has continued to speak out about embracing yourself and practicing self-love no matter what the scale says. She refuses to make excuses or beat herself up over the weight gain.
In an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2022, she stated:
“I’m not working at the gym right now. Let’s just be real. It’s Okay. Give yourself some grace. Everyone looks different, everyone’s shaped different. Just embrace it.”
She also tweeted a message to her fans:
“Thank you so much for accepting me as I am!!”
Clarkson has been focused on improving her diet, fitness regimen, and overall well-being rather than obsessing over a number on the scale. Her main goals are getting healthy and feeling comfortable in her own skin.
Kelly’s Future Weight Loss Plans
While she has embraced her current weight and is not in a rush to lose pounds, Kelly Clarkson does plan to continue improving her diet and increasing her exercise activity.
She is working on following a nutrient-dense diet full of lean proteins, fresh fruits & veggies, whole grains, and healthy fats. Avoiding inflammatory and sugary junk foods may help balance her hormones and boost energy levels.
Kelly has also incorporated more movement into her daily routine, whether it’s walking her dog, strength-training, yoga, or other workouts. This can improve health and potentially lead to gradual, sustainable weight loss in the future.
The key is that Kelly Clarkson has learned to detach her self-worth and happiness from the number on the scale. Her main focus is feeling healthy, confident, and comfortable in her body at any size or weight.
Conclusion
After 20 hugely successful years in the spotlight, Kelly Clarkson has undoubtedly learned how to tune out the noise and side-eye about her changing weight. While her current weight is estimated to be around 200-220 lbs in 2022, Clarkson consistently preaches self-love and body positivity to her fans.
Rather than crash dieting or beating herself up, the singer is focused on managing ongoing health issues, nourishing her body with good food, staying active, and radiating confidence no matter what size she is. Kelly Clarkson’s inspirational messages of body acceptance and anti-shaming continue to make her a true role model.
