Singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson has
denied rumors she's gay.
Clarkson gained fame as the winner of
the inaugural season of Fox's reality talent contest American Idol
in 2002.
Her fifth studio album Stronger
is scheduled to be released on October 24 by RCA Records. Previous
albums include Thankful (2003), Breakaway (2004), My
December (2007) and All I Ever Wanted (2009). She's also
made guest appearances on several television shows, including That
80's Show and Reba, and starred in the feature film From
Justin to Kelly.
Despite her success – and a head
start – Clarkson ranks sixth on Forbes' list of top-earning
American Idols. According
to Forbes, American Idol season four winner Carrie
Underwood raked in $20 million over the past year, making the country
music singer the highest paid Idol alum.
In an interview with E!
News, Clarkson denied she's a lesbian, adding that the rumors
have caused havoc in her love life.
“People keep saying I'm gay, and I'm
not,” Clarkson said. “I'm pretty sure I've never made out with a
girl. It's just not helping me because I'm straight. No boy wants
to hit on me because I make mean songs about them, and they think I'm
gay.”
In 2009, Clarkson made a similar
statement. “I could never be a lesbian,” she told AOL's
PopEater.com. “I would never want to date someone like myself,
ever.”