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Kelly Clarkson Fires Back At Taylor Swift's Label Head
Posted on Thu Feb 4, 2010 02:25 PM PDT
Here's the thing - Taylor Swift is adorable, she plays the guitar and she's got a lovely voice on her albums, but when it comes to singing live and hitting the high notes, she probably wouldn't have made it past the first round of American Idol. What, it's true! And after her performance at the Grammys on Sunday, a lot of people were wondering how the country cutie who struggles to belt it out live walked away with no less than FOUR awards that night.
Swift’s label head, Big Machine CEO Scott Borchetta defended Taylor as the “voice of a generation” and said, “This is not American Idol. This is not a competition of getting up and seeing who can sing the highest note. This is about a true artist and writer and communicator. It’s not about that technically perfect performance.” Um, but isn't part of being a Grammy winning singer being able to carry a tune? For the record, her performance at the CMAs was just as questionable, so it's not like this was a one time thing.
Naturally, season one Idol winner Kelly Clarkson was seeing red when she heard Borchetta's remark, and she immediately posted an open letter on her I Am Kelly blog to vent. Kelly wrote:
- Wow …..Dear Scott Borchetta,
I understand defending your artist obviously because I have done the same in the past for artists I like, including Taylor, so you might see why its upsetting to read you attacking American Idol for producing simply vocalists that hit ‘the high notes’. Thank you for that ‘Captain Obvious’ sense of humor because you know what, we not only hit the high notes, you forgot to mention we generally hit the ‘right’ notes as well. Every artist has a bad performance or two and that is understandable, but throwing blame will not make the situation at hand any better. I have been criticized left and right for having shaky performances before (and they were shaky) and what my manager or label executives say to me and the public is “I’ll kick butt next time” or “every performance isn’t going to be perfect” ……I bring this up because you should take a lesson from these people and instead of lashing out at other artists (that in your ‘humble’ opinion lack true artistry), you should simply take a breath and realize that sometimes things won’t go according to plan or work out and that’s okay.
Sincerely,
One of those contestants from American Idol who only made it because of her high notes ;)
Think Taylor will have something to say to this? Let the games begin!
Sorry Taylor, but you lose this round!
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Because Of Food... - May 11, 2009
OMG! Kelly And Kanye Performing Together On AI? - Mar 06, 2009
Have You Found Your Idol Yet? - Jan 17, 2008
Comments
Kelly is HUGE! It would take 3 Taylor's to make 1 Kelly.
team kelly. nobody cares if kelly is HUGE, she's got more talent in her pinky then taylor has in her entire body.
taylor is a marketer's dream, innocuous, "pretty" white chick, who's from the south who sings about unicorns and rainbows.
BURN! Well put, Kelly!
Not a fan of Tay nor ever heard her live, but she got some few good songs, I got 2 admit.
Kelly - CALM DOWN! you sound like a b-tch! Why are you responding to this guy, he's obviously a douche. And why is everyone hatin' on MY GIRL Taylor!!! In what she lacks in technical vocal ability she definitely makes up in songwriting and the feeling and messages she puts in her songs. Why can't people just appreciate the different talents and abilities in everyone?
"she wears short skirts i wear tshirts.." brilliant. how long is tay tay going to be pretending she's the innocent little high school chick to appeal to the kiddies when she's 20 years old?
RIGHT ON...IV'E ALWAYS THOUGHT SWIFT IS AND OVERATED..BORING TWIT!! I THINK POP MUSIC ANYMORE IS ALL ABOUT WHO LOOKS GOOD FOR THE VIDEO ANYMORE....NOBODY SEEMS TO GIVE A SHIT ABOUT WHAT SOMEBODY BRINGS TO THE TABLE INSIDE....HAAAA YOU GO KELLY!!!!! ;]
Thank you God for Kelly Clarkson.
That is all.
Pfft, Taylor Swift is "the voice of the generation". Biggest and most insulting B.S. I've heard in a long time.
I'm sure Taylor knows, she better do all she can now with the younger group, or hope like heck, her voice improves as she gets older. She's also been very appreciative and kind, to her fans. Doesn't seem to take anything for granted. Entertainment awards are always very guestionable.
TWO BIMBO'S ! NEITHER HAS ANY TALENT OTHER THAN ACTING STUPID OVER NOTHING THAT AMOUNTS TO A TINKERS DAM !I THINK KELLYS SISTER IS ROSIE O DONNELL !GOTTA BE ! THEY LOOK SO MUCH ALIKE !
Scott and Kelly are both right they are both wrong.
Scott claims that Taylor’s perfromances don’t have to be pitch perfect as long as she brings unique charachter and charm to the stage. That is a fair statement but the trouble is that she’s no John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Neil Young or Frank Sinatra. Taylor has the character of a well-marketed and well-produced bubble-gum girl and as such, people at least hope that she could sing well live because she may not be able to capture an audience with much else.
Kelly Clarckson is right when she says that there’s no difference between somebody that came from the ranks of American Idol and somebody like Taylor Swift. Unforunately, what she doesn’t realize is that that both Taylor and Kelly are in the same league of bubble-gum music and that neither of them have the qualities that are required to really be considered artists.
taylor can not sing ! i love her ! love her songs, but she should've been a song writer not a singer. she just doesn't have the voice. she's cute and catchy ...in short she's marketable.
Taylor Swift is a light-weight who can't sing, depends on recording studio trickery, and writes drivel.
Kelly's reply would have been much better if she could write English properly! She may not need a vocal coach but she sure could an editor!
Kelly is just jealous and wants to use this opportunity to get attention. She's a has been. Unfortunately for her, a musical success is not just about the music, but the entire presentation.
Kelly can get as fat as she wants to get because she can saaaaaaaaaaang! mmmkay? Little Taylor is not a good singer but there's plenty of famous artist who really don't have great vocals. At least she writes her own music.
Kelly Clarkson is my hero. She doesn't take crap from anyone. Kelly is a true artist, and all you people who don't see(more importantly hear)it are a bunch of tone deaf idiots. Kelly Clarkson is the best singer I have ever heard live, and I am 46 yrs old. I don't consider her music bubblegum at all. Listen to all 4 of her albums. She is a true versatile artist with the most amazing vocals who can sing any genre of music breathtakingly. Her voice gives me chills. Taylor Swift is a nice girl with sweet songs, and that is fine. She has had a record breaking year, and deserves a little respect. Kelly is right, not every performance is going to be perfect. Kelly is a great role model because of her strength, intelligence, and morals. The weight comments some of you have made are juvenile and pathetic. She is a beautiful person inside and out. LONG LIVE KELLY FREAKIN' CLARKSON!!!
Honestly, Taylor Swift could use some voice lessons. Her albums are great. She's adorable. Performing live - ehhh. This was not her first performance that she's had problem with - that she was not in tune. She needs to work on that.
Fatty kelly is jealous.
You're right Kelly. Taylor's label head was moronic trying to downplay that horrid Grammy performance by putting down American Idol artists. Pure stupidity on his part. Like you mentioned, anybody can have a bad day. He should have said that and left it at that.
Kelly jealous? Highly doubtful. VERY well said Kelly!!! Way to go girl :)!!! Taylor can't sing. I never thought she could. That's why I never understood what all the fuss was about her. Then I realized that she is a very talented writer plus she seems to truly be a kind person. But the girl can't sing a lick.
Seriously, I love Taylor Swift and I'm a fan. But I know that she's not really a good singer. She's rather a good songwriter. I mean, if she can't pull off a live performance, then what's that?
ima need some examples of this fabulous writing. i've heard her singles and her writing is not that great on those.
listen world....TAYLOR SUCKS...Period!
is taylor screwing some hollywood dude - is that how she got to thisplace, all these grammy's
it must be the case, right
I like Taylor, do I think she's an amazing singer...no...There are better singers and performers out there. Should she have won so many Grammys...no!! She's a cute girl but extremely overrated.
Rufus said it all.
Kelly is the better singer, but Taylor has her strong points like her looks and songwriting. No need to put down AI contestants here.
It must be tough running down someone
that can write and sing their own songs
and succeed; Taylor Swift has proven herself to many, including other Grammy winners. You don't hear any of them calling her down??
They are being polite to her. I dont get it either, the rave over her. Sorry, she may have all those awards but who really got the best performance, not her. But guys, shhhhhhhh, dont let this reach John Mayer or he will be ranting forever.
most of them aren't calling her down because they saw what happened to kanye and hollywood is like highschool all of the lemmings kiss the prom queen's ass and do the shit talking behind her back.
they're followers. all of hwood follows what's in, who's on top, and they like to be associated and nice to winners. would any of these people be praising her if she had only sold 500 k of her album? she's a cute girl but she really is no better than say miley cyrus.
taylor swift doesnt write her songs all ALONE....she just CO-WRITE!!!!! when she won album of the year in grammy... many people came to stage....who WROTE HER SONGS! but taylor swift is much better than miley cause miley cant sing, cant write, cant dance, cant act!!!! thanks to daddy billy cyrus!
VOICE OF THE GENERATION? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!! thank goodness for kelly clarkson she has a right to stand up and say something. KELLY CLARKSON IS BETTER THAN TAYLOR SWIFT ANY DAY.
taylor writes crap songs, they all sound like each other and shes is NOT versatile. so i have no idea why she wins so many awards, its probably because her young audience of teens believe in those stupid songs and buy them because they dont know better, i dont think taylors songs are of any value compared to kelly clarkson, MJ, beyonce
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I think Taylor Swift is a wretched performer. When I saw her on the Haiti telethon, I couldn't believe she was the subject of so much hype. Pretty, yes. Talented, I wonder....
the grammys are a joke of course taylor cant hit high notes most people in the music industy cant !!
team kelly here. i don't know why taylor won four grammy's. so not good vocally performing live. and quite honestly, i don't get the raves on her looks as well. but i'm sure she's a nice person.
Singing is all about unique style, not about screaming. I know plenty of people that are very loud, but can't hold a note. Many artists can be identified just by the sound of their voice and style of singing. Taylor Swift has that; Kelly does not, as a matter of fact what Kelly has, is a weight problem. The only thing she can beat Taylor at; is at a race to a table
full of food. Yummy,yum,yum..lol..
Her comments were not meant towards Taylor Swift. She's said that she is a fan of Taylor and her writing to Scott Borchetta was not a knock at Taylor.
Hey fat ass...when you can dance on a stage without causing tremors you can throw your two cents in. Watching you perform with Melissa Etheridge on stage with those thunderous pork chop thighs dancing like a banshee scarred me for life. STFU Kelly. You may be able to hit the high notes Kelly but no many people want to watch your lard ass while doing so.
Screw u 9:19. You're probably bigger than she is and she reminds you of yourself when she's up on stage. That would probably piss me off too. LOL!
Please forgive me, Kelly Clarkson for calling you fat. As a sign of repentance, I would like to kiss your vagina.
signed; Mike Myers
Kelly, you wish your lard ass was as the size of mine. I don't recall any one person with regard to the Taylor Swift directing any criticism directly at you but your fat ass always has to chime in and throw (all 400 lbs) your two cents worth in. Your like the new Rosie. Like I said Kelly STFU. Go walk at Runyon or get your giant thighs on a treadmill....Put the donuts away sweetie and focus your energies on yourself. If I was as huge as you I wouldn't have stepped foot on that stage w/Melissa...she looked horrified herself...like she thought the stage would collapse.
she s no longer the american idol way too many cup cakes for that gutt
taylor is the new american idol
Kelly is just jealous and wants to use this opportunity to get attention. She's a has been. Unfortunately for her, a musical success is not just about the music, but the entire presentation.
high note all the time sounds like horse piss. the music industry today lives on high notes and boys with no nads.This crap hurts my ears. Im sick of Highschool love songs and boys that sing like girls.And truth is you have to put your heart and soul into the music it takes more then talent.Just like lady gaga and elton sucked togather the same will happen with any modern singer , that paired with the old.
2:42
Music should be music . If you want a broadway act! Go to broadway.I want to hear music , not a show.Music is not about telling people what to think with a production,its about emotions from a song.Every should see every song different , unless you are a activist musician with a certain message.
i by a cd to hear the song , not to see the dvd production.
they turned music into a CIRCUS!
Kelly's right,this guy should never have explained Taylor's "artistry"by bagging on American Idol.Hey buddy,tell your girl,Taylor,to step up her game live because it's well known that she's weak as hell if she isn't in a studio with a million takes plus auto-tune to help her sound competent.The little girl thing will only serve her for so long,then she's gonna have to be able to sing reguardless of her writing talents.Every singer has a bad one once in a while,touring is tough on a voice and a lot of factors can affect a voice,but this little girl sounds bad every time she's on national tv,so it's not once in a while.Simon Cowell would have run her out of the room without a yellow paper.