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Kelly Clarkson Recalls ‘American Idol’ Reservations

‘We were just like, ‘Oh, I don’t know if this is really what I want to do,’ because it’s a lot,’ Clarkson tells MTV News of the night she won ‘Idol.’ By Christina Garibaldi Kelly Clarkson Photo: MTV News It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 10 years since Kelly Clarkson was crowned the first winner of “American Idol.” Since then, she has become one of the most successful “Idol” alums ever, releasing five albums (her latest, Stronger, landed the #2 spot on the Billboard albums chart ), winning two Grammy Awards and solidifying herself as a pop diva who belts out powerful breakup anthems . Yet, looking back on that night that America voted her the winner, Clarkson recalls her hesitation in becoming the pop star she always imagined herself to be. “Honestly, even the night I won, I remember Justin [Guarini] and I talking. We were just like, ‘Oh, I don’t know if this is really what I want to do,’ because it’s a lot,” Clarkson revealed to MTV News. “But I just really loved singing, and at the end of the day, it’s worth it.” Clarkson has made the most of her time since that night in 2002, but has this journey been exactly how she pictured it? “Actually, this is exactly what I thought it was gonna be like,” Clarkson said. “I never was that kid that was, like, smoke and mirrors. I knew it was going to be hard work, and I knew there’d be a lot of sacrifice.” Even with all her successes over the years, there have been some low points for Clarkson as well. Prior to the release of her third album, My December, it was publicly known she was at odds with her label over the album. But Clarkson said, if given the opportunity, she wouldn’t change anything about that time in her life or her career. “Not even the crappy stuff,” she said. “Because it all builds your character. It molds you, and you go through it for a reason. No, I wouldn’t change anything.” Now, in between her busy work schedule, the “Mr. Know It All” singer still finds time to watch the show that started it all, but she has yet to watch former “Idol” judge Simon Cowell’s new show, “X Factor.” “I watch all of them,” Clarkson said. “I haven’t seen [‘X Factor’] because I’ve been out of the country, but I watch ‘The Voice,’ I watch ‘American Idol’ — I watch all of it.” What do you think of Kelly Clarkson’s latest album? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Kelly Clarkson Related Artists Kelly Clarkson

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Kelly Clarkson Recalls ‘American Idol’ Reservations

Drake, J. Cole, Big Sean Round Out Wale’s Dream Tour

Maybach Music labelmate Meek Mill would also make the lineup, Wale says of ‘doing something for us and our generation.’ By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway Wale Photo: Natasha Chandel/ MTV News Having the support of veteran rappers like Jay-Z and Rick Ross has been helpful for Wale throughout his career, but the relative newcomer hopes to one day band with hip-hop’s next generation of MCs in making their own impact. Wale hit the road with J. Cole and Big Sean a few years back, but for his dream concert run the D.C. rapper hopes to gather some of the game’s newest talent to create a tour that rivals the grandiose concerts of yesteryear. “I’ve been talking to a couple of artists about doing something for us and our generation,” Wale revealed when he appeared on this week’s “RapFix Live.” “Something that feels like the Hard Knock Life Tour, something that feels like the Up in Smoke Tour from back in the day.” On the 1999 Hard Knock Life Tour, Jay-Z hit the road with DMX, Method Man, Redman, Ja Rule and his Roc-A-Fella clique. Similarly, Dr. Dre banded with Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and Warren G for his 2000 Up in Smoke Tour. Those historic runs have been the “Ambition” MC’s inspiration. “My dream tour would be like, me, Cole, Drake, Sean, Meek,” Wale told “RFL” host Sway. “I think that would be dope, something like that; big venues.” On Tuesday Wale released his sophomore album, Ambition, with Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group. Aside from his current single, “Lotus Flower Bomb,” featuring R&B singer Miguel, Wale collaborates with two of his dream tourmates: Big Sean, on the Diplo-produced “Slight Work,” and Meek on the LP’s title track. Would you buy tickets for Wale’s dream tour? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With Wale Related Artists Wale Drake J. Cole Big Sean

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Drake, J. Cole, Big Sean Round Out Wale’s Dream Tour