Spending over two decades in the music industry, Kelly Clarkson produced hit songs like “Because of You”, “Stronger”, and “A Moment Like This.” She also helmed her own television show. While a top name in television and the music industry, Clarkson once stood on the American Idol stage, hoping for nothing more than to hear her name called. Becoming the original winner of American Idol, Clarkson discussed what it was like during that time of her career and how some artists criticized her for winning the show. But what was even more surprising, those same artists went on to coach The Voice.

Sitting down with Kylie Kelce on the Not Gonna Lie podcast, the singer took the title of the podcast seriously as she wanted to tell the entire truth. Recalling those first few years after winning season one of American Idol, Clarkson insisted, “I had no one. I was the first winner. It was hard. Not to sound like, whatever, it was really hard. People were really mean. People that were really mean have been coaches. You know what I’m saying? Like, hated talent shows. And they ended up being on The Voice.”

Understanding that change can come with some criticism, Clarkson went far beyond just calling it criticism as she declared, “People were really cruel at first. They didn’t like it. It took the industry kind of by storm, the talent shows,” she added. “It was a very unlikable thing in the industry concerning the populous.”

Kelly Clarkson Claims Most Artists Couldn’t Handle The Pressure

While shining a light on her past, Clarkson didn’t reveal any names of those who treated her unfairly for winning American Idol. But throughout her years under the spotlight, the singer eventually became a coach on The Voice.

With Clarkson using her own past to help guide the contestants, she admitted, “People like us who have been there in that audition process and just being so judged instantaneously, on maybe not your best performance but you know you can do better, it’s a hard — it’s a grueling thing and its unforgiving in a lot of ways.”

Although Clarkson held no grudge over what happened, she declared that most artists couldn’t handle the stress of a singing competition. “I don’t think a lot of artists that sell tons of records would be able to handle. It’s a different thing.”