KELLY CLARKSON PERFORMS FOR THE POPE

****

Kelly Clarkson Performs For The Pope

****

Singing star Kelly Clarkson overcame her fears to perform for 25,000 Catholics and The Pope in New York over the weekend. The rock star wore a modest blue dress and tied her hair back into a bun to perform Ave Maria for Pope Benedict XVI at Saint Joseph Seminary.The religious date was the latest in the Pope’s tour of America. Clarkson admits that singing for the Pope was both a dream come true and one of her most difficult shows: "I was so excited to be asked to sing for the Pope. It’s always been a dream of mine to perform Ave Maria."To have that dream come true on such a special occasion is truly a blessing."

CARRIE UNDERWOOD AND KELLY CLARKSON

Kelly Clarkson And Carrie Underwood

Country singing star Carrie Underwood has joined fellow American idol winner Kelly Clarkson as spokespersons for the energy drink Vitaminwater.The hit singers has secured an endorsement deal with the drinks company.Underwood, who will appear in upcoming Vitaminwater commercials, insists it wasn’t difficult for her to sign up for the job, because it’s her favorite drink. She says, "I have a hectic schedule, and Vitaminwater really helps to keep me going. I like to have a lot of energy on stage, and since Vitaminwater energy happens to be my favorite flavor, I’m thrilled to have my name on it."

KELLY CLARKSON SCARED OF HERPES

Sexy Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson has only ever kissed five boys - because she is scared of catching herpes!The 25-year-old singer insists she doesn't like smooching because it's too"personal" and she is always worried about what she might catch from potential suitors .She said in an interview with Blender magazine: "I have major trust issues. I don't make out with people. That's a waste of my kisses and my time. And it's so personal - it's, like, my face. Plus I'm afraid of mouth herpes!"Kelly previously dated US rocker Graham Colton, who she met when Graham's group, the Graham Colton Band, were the opening act on her 'Behind These Hazel Eyes Tour', in 2005.They split in February 2006 after dating for around seven months due to conflicting work schedules. Meanwhile, Kelly has confessed to eating a cannabis cookie.The 'American Idol' winner admits she has experimented with marijuana but doesn't class it as a serious drug, because it is not a Class A substance. Kelly said: "I have eaten a marijuana cookie. It was in Amsterdam. It is legal there, and it is not legal in America. I don't ever do anything illegal at home. Since then I have been oregano-free!"I have never smoked anything in my life. I've never tried any drugs. I wouldn't do anything that would cause holes in your brain or your nasal cavity. Call me Texan, but I don't think of marijuana like that."

KELLY CLARKSON NEVER HAS TO WORK

Kelly Clarkson has boasted she never needs to work again.The first 'American Idol' winner - who fired her manager Jeff Kwatinetz last month - claims she was rich enough to retire two years ago. Kelly, 25, bragged to Reader's Digest magazine: "I have saved and saved, and I don't have to work another day."When I won 'Idol' and started working with a business manager, she asked,'What do you want?' I told her I don't ever want to have to make a decision because I need money. So we accomplished that two years ago, and I'm set."The 'Miss Independent' singer recently fell out with 75-year-old Clive Davis, the Chief Executive of her record label RCA, because he didn't like the songs she had chosen for her latest album 'My December'.Kelly said: "I just want people to hear it, instead of 100-year old executives making decisions on what's good for pop radio. It's people my age who listen to it. My gut hasn't been wrong yet, so why wouldn't I continue to follow it?"They hated 'Miss Independent' on my first album. It was number one for six weeks, then they got behind it."They hated 'Breakaway'. The song I wrote that they hated the most was 'Because of You'. I fought and fought for it, it became successful and they finally got behind it. I'm not complaining, I'll just say no until I get my way, and I did."

KELLY CLARKSON REFUSES TEN MILLION

Kelly Clarkson isn't interested in being famous.The 'Because of You' singer insists all she cares about is her music and doesn't want to the celebrity status that accompanies it.Kelly confessed: "I couldn't give a c**p about being a star. I've always just wanted to sing and write."Double Grammy-winning Kelly, 25, turned down a $10 million offer by BMG's Clive Davis to drop five songs on her new album 'My December' in favor of a more "radio-friendly" selection. Kelly said: "I've sold more than 15 million records worldwide, and still nobody listens to what I have to say. Because I'm 25 and a woman."It's like because I am a good singer, I can't possibly be a good writer.Women can't possibly be good at two things. I haven't lost my temper about it. It only drives me more. If your thing is to bring me down, cool. I'll just work harder."

AMERICAN IDOL'S KELLY CLARKSON'S CLASH

American Idol's Kelly Clarkson

Pop star KELLY CLARKSON clashed with record label bosses when they pushed her to perform her "bitter" new single at the recent AMERICAN IDOL charity TV special IDOL GIVES BACK.The singer insisted the timing was all wrong for her to perform love-gone-bad number Never Again at the TV fundraiser in April and refused to sing her new hit - against record executives’ wishes.She says, "To promote yourself on a charity event is beyond crass. People are starving and dying and I’m up there singing some bitter pop song."Believe me, everyone wanted me to sing it because they are jaded and have no soul."Imagine sitting in a room full of people totally against you: ‘Can’t they hear themselves speaking? Capitalise of AIDS? Are you kidding? Insulting an entire nation of people?’ I just refused."