Blake Shelton Finally Admits What We All Suspected About Kelly Clarkson
After years of witty banter, friendly competition, and off‑camera jabs, country star Blake Shelton has finally admitted something about Kelly Clarkson that many fans quietly believed all along: he secretly envies her ability to juggle it all and steal the spotlight—particularly on television.
Blake and Kelly have appeared together on The Voice for multiple seasons, serving as co‑judges/coaches and frequently trading jokes, teasing remarks, and playful criticisms. And while these exchanges have long hinted at a tension beneath the surface, many people assumed Shelton’s admiration (and perhaps a little envy) was part of the mix. In recent interviews, he’s admitted that Kelly’s success in multiple realms—hosting, singing, television appearances—does make him respect her more than he’s comfortable showing.
In a candid moment during press for his final season on The Voice, Shelton joked that “NBC stands for ‘Nothing But Clarkson’,” commenting on how Clarkson now dominates daytime talk shows, late night bits, and other TV formats. While it was funny, there was a ring of truth: Shelton recognized that Clarkson’s presence spans more than just singing and coaching: she’s become a multi‑media presence.
While teasing doesn’t always equal envy, Shelton has also admitted that the hardest part of working with Clarkson is that he still has a few weeks left of being her co‑coach—knowing one part of his life on the show is ending, while Clarkson continues branching out. He’s called watching her manage all her roles “something to admire,” even as he jokes about being “fired” or overshadowed by her TV ubiquity.
A particularly memorable exchange came when Kelly forced Blake to take a lie‑detector test during the show, after calling him out on his tall tales. Shelton had claimed things like being blocked by Kelly in a given season, being “training for the U.S. curling team,” or that certain choices on the show were his idea. Kelly caught him on more than one of these with the lie detector’s help. The fun segment was funny, and also underlined a pattern: Blake often leans into exaggeration or misdirection—especially when it comes to favor, credit, or status.
Shelton’s “admission” feels finally like more than just comedians’ routine. He’s acknowledging what fans have long sensed: Kelly Clarkson isn’t just his co‑coach or rival—she’s a force across multiple platforms (TV, music, media)—and even someone who pushes him to be better (or at least, keep up). He recognizes her versatility, her grind, and the fact that, yes, sometimes she gets more airtime, more coverage, or more cross‑media influence.
But despite all this, the dynamic between them remains rooted in mutual respect and genuine affection. Kelly often praises Blake’s dedication to his artists, his humor, and his authenticity. Blake, in turn, has several times acknowledged that working alongside Kelly, even while poking fun at her, has been one of the best parts of his time on The Voice.
So did Blake Shelton finally admit he’s in awe of Kelly Clarkson? In effect, yes. Maybe not with the same dramatic flair as a confessional documentary, but through years of humor, competitive moments, and now a few admissions — he’s owning what many suspected: she’s kind of a big deal beyond just singing and judging.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6Aj8vQciKw&ab_channel=DearTime
