Chris DeLine

Few artists have seen such levels of both success and criticism in 2009 as Kelly Clarkson. Take her latest release, for example; All I Ever Wanted debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and has already outsold 2007’s My December. In January, the album’s first single, “My Life Would Suck Without You,” leaped from #97 to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the largest jump in the chart’s history. But even as Clarkson’s rejuvenated career has been going full-tilt, detractors have still found ways to get theirs. Following the album’s release and a variety of public appearances—including a rousing performance on Saturday Night Live—Clarkson was cruelly criticized for her “weight gain” in the media. Most recently there has been an uproar over a cover of SELF magazine in which Clarkson appears to be ridiculously photoshopped, something that was orchestrated by editor-in-chief Lucy Danziger, not Clarkson—though that has done little to stop people from attacking the singer. But despite all the nonsense that has accompanied her most successful release in years, Clarkson has allowed little of it to get in her way. The result? Clarkson continues to take the stage with the same beautiful voice and powerful presence that she’s been performing with for years. All ages.

[This critics’ pick was originally published by City Pages.]