The singer and daytime talk show host has revealed that she’s been taking serious pills to help her lose weight — but not Ozempic. Volume muted icon
Kelly Clarkson has been open about her weight loss journey, from health issues to difficulties she’s faced to the strategies she’s adopted.
For example, the star announced earlier this year that her recent weight loss was helped by weight loss pills, though she didn’t name any. She confirmed the rumors while speaking to Whoopi Goldberg, who also took weight loss pills, during her talk show, “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”
She has also previously revealed that getting more active by walking around New York City and eating a high protein diet has helped her lose weight. Protein keeps you full and satisfied allowing you to easily consume fewer calories.
Fans were once again surprised by the results she achieved when Clarkson appeared at the 2024 Daytime Emmy Awards in June. She wore a pink-red dress, a beautiful shirt with a matching skirt.
Here’s what to know about Kelly Clarkson’s weight loss since she shared it with the public.
What drug is Kelly Clarkson taking to lose weight?
Clarkson did not reveal what weight loss pills he was taking besides Ozempic.
He confirmed the rumors during a May episode of “The Kelly Clarkson Show” while speaking to Whoopi Goldberg, who also spoke candidly about her use of another weight loss drug, Monjaro.
While the “American Idol” winner was previously unsure about using drugs to lose weight, he said he decided “because my blood isn’t working properly.”
“My doctor was following me for about two years, and I said, ‘No, I’m scared of that, I already have thyroid problems,'” he explained.
“Everybody thinks it’s Ozempic — it’s not. It’s something else,” he told Goldberg.
He said he didn’t notice how much weight he had gained before starting the drug. But one day after seeing himself on camera he stopped and asked himself, “Who is that?” he noticed.
“I’m the heaviest I’ve ever been, I’m 203 and I’m 5-foot-3-and-a-half,” Clarkson added. “It’s funny because people think, ‘Oh, it’s sad, tragic, whatever,’ and I say, ‘No, I’m not like that.'”
“I’m not really insecure about it, I’m happy,” she added.
How did Kelly Clarkson lose weight?
Aside from taking weight loss pills, Clarkson has made lifestyle changes for her long-term health.
In January 2024, she confirmed that she moved to New York City for her work. In an exclusive interview with People, she revealed that she lost the weight because she is now eating healthier and moving more.
She didn’t mention her gym but said, “Walking around the city is a great workout.”
Clarkson decided to move from Los Angeles to New York in 2023. “I’m not very happy in L.A. and have been for many years. I wanted a fresh start,” Clarkson told People. California isn’t good for her mind, she added.
In New York, she has also found some other health benefits. “I’m actually into infrared saunas now. And I just cold plunged because everyone was exhausting me,” the “Piece by Piece” singer said.
As far as her diet goes, Clarkson doesn’t do anything serious.
“I eat well,” she told People. “I lost the weight because I listened to my doctor — I didn’t do that for a couple of years. And 90% of the time I was okay with it because the protein diet was good for me. I’m a Texas girl, so I like meat — sorry, vegans of the world!”
“But I still splurge. The other night I had frozen yogurt with my daughter and it was magical,” said the Grammy winner, who shares 10-year-old daughter River Rose and 8-year-old son Remington with her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock.
Kelly Clarkson’s thyroid and other health issues
Clarkson has previously talked about her thyroid and autoimmune problems and trying to lose weight to combat them.
For example, she changed her diet and lost about 37 pounds, she told TODAY’s Hoda Kotb in 2018.
“I know the industry loves weight, but for me, it’s not really about weight,” Clarkson said at the time.
She added, Then, to lose weight, Clarkson focused on a lectin-free diet. Lectins are proteins that bind carbohydrates. (Talk to a doctor before making any changes to your diet, such as eliminating carbohydrates.)
Clarkson read a book about lectins and eliminated them from her diet, which meant no beans, legumes, whole grains, milk and certain vegetables.
“I read this book, and I read it for an autoimmune disease that I have and I have thyroid problems, and now all my levels are back up,” he said during the interview. “Actually, I didn’t do anything.”
He revealed he has diabetes during his January 2024 episode of Speech.
“I’m not surprised,” Clarkson said, “I’m a little heavy.” … They say, ‘You’re prediabetic. You’re on the borderline.’ And I was like, ‘But I’m not there yet.'”
Two years after the discovery, he decided to change his lifestyle.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, having type 2 diabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal but still below the normal range for type 2 diabetes. Exercise and a healthy diet can help reduce the risk of progression.
Kelly Clarkson’s weight struggles
Throughout her years in Hollywood, the “American Idol” star has faced numerous comments about her size.
She told Glamour UK in 2020 that being thin doesn’t make her more confident, saying she got her coaching job on “The Voice” after gaining some weight.
“I got the heaviest No. 1 radio show I’ve ever been on, because it was after I had a baby, and it was like they didn’t care,” Clarkson said.
“Paul (Telegdi, NBC Entertainment chairman) hired me from NBC because he loved my personality, he loved that I connected with people and that I was raw and real. It has nothing to do with my sexuality or my beauty. It has to do with me as a person.
Clarkson and TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager shared a serious bond when Jenna and her twin sister, Barbara Pierce Bush, appeared on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” in November 2023.
During the interview, Clarkson shared a photo of Jenna and Barbara dressed up as children.
“The drop waist thing was popular,” Jenna said of the clothes she and her sister were wearing in the photo. Clarkson interjected, saying, “Which is not good for girls with curvy backs.”
When Jenna said she and Barbara got “fat-faced” during their childhood, Barbara agreed: “Well, there was a phase.”
Clarkson joked Huey gave Jenna a high five, “I have so many stages.”
