‘Idol’ star’s best quotes on kids, divorce

Kelly Clarkson is celebrating her big 4-0 like any 40-year-old would do: “Low key.”

“I’ve had a crazy two years,” the Grammy award-winning singer told E! earlier in the month about her plans for April 24. “So I just wanted a chill birthday.”

“The Voice” coach and OG winner of “American Idol” plans to go hiking with friends and have dinner with her band, she told the outlet. Chill as it may be, it could be a much needed break for the star, who’s experienced a bittersweet and busy couple of years. Amid the divorce from her husband Brandon Blackstock, her daytime talk show “The Kelly Clarkson Show” has found success, earning three Emmy awards since its 2019 launch.

On Friday, the show marked her milestone birthday by surprising the TV host with the cast of her favorite show, “The Rookie.” Actor Michael Ealy also honored Clarkson with a serenade of “Happy Birthday” and a giant cake.

“You are the sweetest and the realest person and the best host on daytime television,” Ealy said.

Clarkson is known for authenticity, like when she dropped into her show virtually from quarantine in a robe to joke about watching “Encanto” endlessly with her kids, River, 7 and Remington, 6.

In honor of her big day, look back at some of her most inspiring words about life, motherhood and divorce.

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On the power of music:

“Music has such an influence on our emotions, and it aids in recovery. It’s kind of a healthy little elixir for everyone. And I can relate to it: I was very much an outsider as a kid, and music kind of saved me.” — To People in 2020

On the hardships of motherhood:

“I love relating to other moms. It makes me feel good, because sometimes you feel like you’re epically failing and just treading water. And we’re all doing our best and trying our best.” — To USA TODAY in 2019

On the funny reality of quarantining with kids:

“I thought we were done with quarantining, and I’m so tired (laughs)… I broke a nail. I’m so broken. This is me broken … America, this is what I look like. You’re welcome.” — On “The Kelly Clarkson Show” in 2022

On deciding to do a daytime talk show:

“There’s so much negativity, so much division (now). One of the main reasons I signed on is I wanted a place that was fun, joyful, had a lot of heart.” — To USA TODAY in 2019

On embracing her appearance:

“People get afraid of thick girls like there’s a problem with it. Everybody’s ‘happy’ looks different. And everybody, at different stages of life, looks different.” — To USA TODAY in 2017

On navigating divorce with children:

“What I’m dealing with is hard because it involves more than just my heart. It involves a lot of little hearts. We have four kids, and divorce is never easy. We’re both from divorced families, so we know the best thing here is to protect our children and their little hearts.” — In an interview with ExtraTV in 2020

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On raising kids:

“They are challenging. Wine is necessary. They’re great though. Out of the mouths of babes. They say stuff where you’re like ‘Damn.’ They call you out. They teach me.” —During a TCA event for “The Voice” in 2018

On faux Hollywood:

“I think that sometimes Hollywood can be very ‘Oh, we don’t want people to see what we really look like. That’ll be the death of you or something.’ And it’s like, ‘Whatever!’ Everybody poops. Everybody burps. Everybody’s the same.” — To People in 2018

On pregnancy:

“Anytime I see someone pregnant, I just pray for them. (Pregnancy) was literally the worst moments of my life … I’m not kidding — I wish I were that girl that (had good memories of pregnancy). But no. Nope. Don’t miss it. It’s as if someone was in an accident — they’re pregnant, I’m like, “Oh my God.’ ” — To People in 2017

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