Kelly Clarkson Lost Nearly 40 Pounds With a Special Diet: Photos of Her Weight Loss Transformation

2002

Kelly had her big break as the first winner of American Idol in 2002. The “A Moment Like This” hitmaker told Ellen DeGeneres in 2015 that she’s been dealing with body-shamers ever since then. 

“I was the biggest girl in the [American Idol cast] too,” she said. “And I wasn’t big, but people would call me big … I’ve kind of always gotten that. I think what hurts my feelings for people is that I’ll have a meet and greet after the show, and a girl who’s bigger than me will be in the meet and greet and be like, ‘Wow, if they think you’re big, I must be so fat to them.’ And it’s like, you’re just who you are. We are who we are — whatever size.”

2006

Kelly revealed in a 2018 interview on Today that she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder and “a thyroid problem” in 2006 and began taking medication. However, she later stopped taking it, which ultimately led her to make lifestyle changes. “I know the industry loves the weight gone, but for me, it wasn’t really (about) the weight. For me, it was ‘I’m not on my medicine anymore.'”

2012

Kelly opened up about her fluctuating weight in early 2012, telling Us Weekly, “It’s just trying to eat a little better and work out a little more. But no matter what size I am I love performing no matter how big or little I am! I feel good.”

2016

Kelly and her now ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, welcomed their second child, Remington Alexander Blackstock, in 2016 after previously welcoming River Rose Blackstock in 2014. Unfortunately, Kelly received harsh comments about gaining pregnancy weight. In 2017, she clapped back at a troll who called her fat on Twitter, writing back, “…and still f–king awesome.”

2018

By 2018, Kelly lost 37 pounds, crediting her weight loss to the “lectin-free” diet found in Dr. Steven Gundry’s book, The Plant Paradox. “I did it for this autoimmune disease that I had and I had a thyroid issue, and now all my levels are back up. I’m not on medicine anymore because of this book,” she told Extra.

But even though Kelly was thinner, she made it clear that her happiness is not a result of how thin she is at any given time. It was only a matter of improving her overall health.

“It’s when I’m fat that I’m happy. People think, ‘Oh, there’s something wrong with her. She’s putting on weight.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, no! I’m sorry, but that represents happiness in my emotional world,’” she told Redbook. “If you gauge your life on what other people think, you’re going to be in a constant state of panic trying to please everyone. People should just concentrate on their own lives and their own health and their own happiness, and whatever that looks like for you, be happy with it.”

March 2023

After her divorce from Brandon was finalized in March 2022, Kelly appeared to slim down even further. She’s still looking fabulous more than a year later!

October 2023

While promoting her work with Audacy on social media, Kelly looked slimmed down and rocked an adorable pair of overalls over a baseball T-shirt.

October 2023 (Part 2!)

While visiting Seth Meyers, Kelly looked incredible in a black ensemble and loosely curled hair.

Halloween 2023

Kelly dazzled during the Halloween episode of her show, bringing a very sultry vampire to life.

November 2023

Kelly dazzled while attending the SiriusXM Next Generation: Industry event in New York, proving that red is absolutely her color.

November 2023

Kelly hosted the 2023 Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony on November 29 and showed off her stunning transformation in an all-white winter ensemble.

January 2024

The “Stronger” singer opened up about her weight loss secrets during a January 3 cover story interview with People — and they involve surprisingly simple lifestyle changes.

“Walking in the city is quite the workout,” Kelly, who recently moved to New York City from Los Angeles, shared. She added that while she eats a “healthy mix” of foods, she credits most of her weight loss to simply “listening to [her] doctor.”

January 2024

Kelly started off the new year with a bang in a black leather dress to host the January 9 episode of her talk show.

February 2024

Kelly looked fabulous in a white off-the-shoulder gown that accentuated her curves at the 2024 Grammys. She brought Remy with her as her sweet date!

May 2024

During an interview with Whoopi Goldberg on The Kelly Clarkson Show in May 2024, Kelly copped to using a weight loss drug to help lose weight.

“My doctor chased me for, like, two years and I was like, ‘No, I’m afraid of it. I already have thyroid problems.’ I was afraid,” the American Idol winner admitted. “Everyone thinks it’s Ozempic. It’s not. It’s something else. But it’s something that aids in breaking down the sugar. Obviously, my body doesn’t do it right.”

While Kelly remained tight-lipped about the name of the medication she was using, a source exclusively told Life & Style that it was “probably Liraglutide.”

July 2024

The talk show host jetted off to Paris to host the Olympic Opening Ceremony on July 26. She stunned in a long-sleeved navy blue dress as she introduced each of the countries competing in the international games.

October 2024

Kelly showed off her toned legs while posing in a little black dress at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony in October 2024.

December 2024

The “Broken & Beautiful” singer continued to flaunt her weight loss while hosting the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting special in December 2024. Ahead of the event, she rocked a tight black skirt while promoting the tree lighting with Tyler Posey and Taye Diggs.