Since Kelly Clarkson expressed support for Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul this week, she’s found herself in a spiteful firestorm, with many fans voicing displeasure about Paul’s views on gay rights and the death penalty. But it turns out other fans (and perhaps other pop-inclined Paul supporters?) are standing by her — and voting with their wallets. Sales of Clarkson’s Stronger have jumped dramatically on Amazon and iTunes in the last 24 hours, a sign that the controversy surrounding the rapturous diva may include an odd silver lining. Details below.
GossipCop notes that Stronger has risen from #41 to #13 on Amazon’s chart, and we just clocked it at #15 on iTunes album chart. It’s worth noting that Amazon and iTunes represent just two pieces of a market that also includes major retailers like Wal-Mart and Best Buy — and that a 24-hour boost may not ultimately add up to that much. (Also worth noting that people are snapping up her two-month-old studio album and not her brand-new live EP.) But it’s been fascinating to see a superstar of Clarkson’s stature engage in a political discourse directly with her fans, via her tweets and her WhoSay site.
Clarkson also posted an apology of sorts to fans who felt offended, saying:
“I am really sorry if I have offended anyone. Obviously that was not my intent. I do not support racism. I support gay rights, straight rights, women’s rights, men’s rights, white/black/purple/orange rights. I like Ron Paul because he believes in less government and letting the people (all of us) make the decisions and mold our country. That is all. Out of all of the Republican nominees, he’s my favorite.”
Clarkson has waged battles in public before (most notably with her former label boss Clive Davis), and always seems to earn more respect from her fans by breaking away from convention. This time, though, “Miss Independent” seems to have alienated some of her most ardent followers. Meanwhile, the debate itself continues in real time, with Clarkson’s friend Blake Shelton speaking up for her, and Ron Paul himself expressing thanks.
How will all this play as election season rolls on, and Clarkson prepares for her 2012 tour? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter or in the comments.
[Via Mediaite]
I bought 15 of her CDs and everything she has on iTunes; and I don’t even listen to her music.
Clarkson aligned herself with the one candidate who has been able to raise $6 million in one day. In his last fundraiser, he raised $4 million+ in one weekend.
Ron Paul 2012
War is big business in the country. One candidate is against it. Follow the dots and figure out why there is a major orchestrated campaign to malign Ron Paul. America are you going to get fooled again ???
No more status quo. Ron Paul 2012!
It is nice for someone to speak their mind regardless of who they are. This is just showing that Ron Paul’s message of liberty for all is popular. He has my vote. If he doesn’t make it, I will write his name or vote libertarian (which I assume many Paul supporters will also do). Its not about party, its about ideas and principles.
RP 2012
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
#1 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists
#1 in Music > Pop > Vocal Pop > Contemporary
#2 in Music > Pop > Vocal Pop > General
KELLEGEND Clarkson
/\ /\ /\ /\ /\ deluxe version.
This article conveniently ignores why she suffered twitter backlash. It’s because Ron Paul published racist, anti-semetic newsletters in the ’80s and ’90s, and the content of these crackpot newsletters has been in the news all month. She’s coming out in support of a crank who’s been getting endorsement from neo-Nazis and white supremacists because of those hatemongering newsletters. Was this article written by her publicist?
This article makes the same unfounded supposition that Paul’s views are indeed those of a racist or a homophone when THEY ARE NOT! Quit spreading false premises through disingenuous innuendos! Not only has Ron Paul long been the most consistent pro-minority & gay rights advocate in Washington (look at his freakin record on the issues people!) he’s repeatedly disavowed the stupid remarks that were published eons ago. His walk doesn’t match the kind of talk that was said in those ugly publications. The offensive words make up less than 1/10th of 1% of the total content he published in over 2 decades. Quit smearing Ron Paul with your ignorant, or sinister propoganda!
To say that Paul is a racist is basically like saying Obama is a racist for some of his “fringe” friends… I never believed that about that about Obama an I don’t believe the newsletter smear either.. If all you think you know about Ron Paul is that he is racist I feel bad for you , I really do..
Well, at least she is getting a little change for all of the backlash
All those claiming Ron Paul is anti-gay: WHY do all the gay people support him? To the point of being active leaders in his campaign? Gay people need FREEDOM, just like people everywhere. Just like Kelly sings about. Black people, Asian people, brown people–ALL support Ron Paul.
If I’m not mistaken, Ron Paul’s 2008 campaign manager, Kent Snyder, was an openly gay man. And I believe his current campaign spokesperson (name escapes me) is black.
During the 2008 campaign a reporter asked Ron Paul who would make a good vice president and he answered, “Walter Williams.” Dr. Williams is an economist. Who happens to be black.
But if people want to make fools of themselves by name-calling against Ron Paul, I guess that’s their perogative.
i’m just glad kelly’s album will be considered a hit so we get another one from her – ron paul who?