Lesbian ‘The Voice’ contestant calls out Kelly Clarkson for gay singer comments
A contestant on The Voice has called out her coach Kelly Clarkson for comments she made during her the show.
Molly Stevens is a contestant on Clarkson’s team on the current season of the US reality series, which also features judges Adam Levine, Alicia Keys and Blake Shelton.
The singer, who is out and proud, spoke out on social media this week – after an episode aired in which Clarkson compared her to popular lesbian acts Melissa Etheridge and the Indigo Girls.
Clarkson had favourably compared Stevens to the acts during the ‘Battle’ episode, which saw Stevens eliminated from the contest.
Taking to Instagram, Stevens wrote: “One other thing Kelly Clarkson compared me to Melissa Etheridge and [Indigo Girls].
“While I’m extremely honoured to be in that category of talent I do believe that comment did us a disservice and only threw us into a labelling trap. It felt small minded to me and exactly what I feel we need to bring attention to the world.
“I am a singer songwriter who happens to be gay. And so is Melissa Etheridge and the Indigo Girls. Glad I can work through this one today… but it’s a common stereotype that happens too often.
“People put us in boxes. How about for today I am just Molly Stevens and you be you too. Thanks for letting me share, and thank you to my preacher for giving my the courage to point it out.”
Clarkson responded with a message of her own, suggesting it was “convenient” that Stevens only quoted part of what she had said.
She said: “Wow. This really bums me out. I need everyone 2 hear me & hear ALL OF THE WORDS I SAY. I compared Molly to Melissa Etheridge, Patty Griffin (a name that was left out conveniently), & the Indigo Girls purely because of the rasp in her voice & that she’s an amazing storyteller.”
Stevens has since backed down.
She said: “I am so sorry to have caused any pain and hurt with anyone. Learned my lesson to not process my thoughts on social media today. Especially the day after being aired on The Voice. I’m truly sorry. I hope our paths will cross soon so I can tell you this in person.”
She added: “I sincerely apologize for any hurt I may have caused with my words. This was not my intention at all.
“For the people who know me well, you know my heart well too. I strive to live in truth and light. Kelly Clarkson I truly apologize for thinking differently. I look up to you.”
Clarkson has long been a vocal supporter of LGBT rights.
Speaking to GT magazine last year, Clarkson opened up about her support from the LGBT community and why she cares about the issue.
She said: “I grew up in the South, and when I was a kid, kids would get their asses kicked [for being gay]. It was insane. Like, a couple of my guy friends growing up were gay and I didn’t know because they didn’t even confide in me.
“When I was asked to write that Gay Pride Month Love Letter, I was like, ‘I think I’m going to say I’ll be thankful for the day when people like me don’t have to be thanked for being an ally.’ Because, don’t you think it’s a weird thing for me to be thanked for? Just for being decent, for being a normal, reasonable human being?
“When I look back at those guys I grew up with, I just think, ‘Wow, how incredibly sad that they couldn’t be themselves, that they had to pretend to have girlfriends.’
“I just look forward to the day when we don’t have to write love letters to any minority groups in society.
“Where it’s equal everywhere. It’s 2017, we should be evolved and progressive enough to be past this. But we’re not! Because half of my country thinks differently to the way I do!”
Her video for track ‘Heartbeat Song’ even included a real-life same-sex proposal.
She recalled of the surprise on-set proposal: “He didn’t know that his boyfriend was going to propose to him. No one knew, so he was kinda confused in the video because he was going, ‘Is this real? Or for the video?’
“It was just the most amazing thing to capture that live, and them embracing and that kiss, that was real.
“We didn’t actually mean to do it as a statement because I think in the artistic community we’re so far past that. Equal rights is a no brainer. It’s almost like we’re in some bubble.
“All of a sudden I’ll be in an interview and someone will say like, ‘Oh, that’s quite a statement,’ and I’ll be like, ‘Was it?’
“I think a lot of people are like, ‘Screw you! I’m gonna put this in my video because this is life. Accept it or go live on Mars.’ I’m tired of talking about it. You know what I’m saying?
“I’m tired of it even being an issue, because it’s silly. Everyone should have equal rights, that’s it. Hello!”
