Kelly Clarkson Calls Indonesian Cigarette Controversy a 'Lose-Lose Situation'

By Nadine Cheung Posted Apr 21st 2010 12:43PM

Kelly Clarkson is at the center of controversy again, but is using her personal blog to speak out about the matter. On Wednesday, the singer posted an entry regarding the recent debate over billboards that promoted the pop star's upcoming concert in Jakarta, Indonesia, using logos from the popular cigarette brand, L.A. Lights.

"So... my morning began with finding out that I am all over billboards, TV ads, and other media formats alongside a tobacco company who unbeknown-st to me is sponsoring my Jakarta date on my current tour," she writes. "I was not made aware of this and am in no way an advocate or an ambassador for youth smoking."

The 27-year-old singer goes on to explain how the incident has put her in a tough position, weighing the pros and cons of canceling the event.

"Unfortunately, my only option at this point was to cancel the show in order to stop the sponsorship," she says. "However, I can't justify penalizing my fans for someone else's oversight. This is a lose-lose situation for me and I am not happy about it but the damage has been done and I refuse to cancel on my fans."

The controversy has also taken an emotional toll on the Clarkson, who adds, "I think the hardest part of situations like this is getting personally attacked for something I was completely unaware of and being used as some kind of political pawn."

In Indonesia, tobacco companies are free to advertise their products on TV shows, billboards, Web sites and other media. L.A. Lights is owned by Djarum, the third-largest Indonesian cigarette manufacturer. The advertisements have caused public debate amongst Indonesia's Muslim community, whose second-largest Islamic organization, Muhammadiyah, recently issued a fatwa banning smoking.

Clarkson's U.S. devotees are also divided, using Facebook as a means to express their opinions on the dispute. While plenty of fans have written messages of support, others have posted comments on the 'American Idol' star's wall condemning her for the sponsorship and offering personal stories of cigarette-related deaths. One user has even created a separate Facebook page petitioning Clarkson to drop the endorsement. The page currently has less than 200 followers. However, according to the pop star, she was unaware of the tobacco company's involvement with her concert in the Indonesian capital.

Clarkson has yet to confirm the cancellation of her Jakarta concert.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=685820&pid=685819&uts=1271870533

http://www.popeater.com/mm_track/popeater/music/?s_channel=us.musicpop&s_account=aolpopeater,aolsvc&omni=1&ke=1

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

Kelly Clarkson Snapshots

Kelly Clarkson attends a press conference at the Westcliff hotel in Johannesburg during her first tour in South Africa on March 11. Check out more pics of the singer >>

Gallo Images / Getty Images

Getty Images Europe

Kelly Clarkson Snapshots

Kelly Clarkson visits "Late Show With David Letterman" at the Ed Sullivan Theater on July 13, 2009 in New York City. Jonah Hill Visits "Late Show With David Letterman" - July 13, 2009 Ed Sullivan Theater New York, NY United States July 13, 2009 Photo by Soul Brother/FilmMagic.com To license this image (57898445), contact FilmMagic.com

Soul Brother/FilmMagic.com

NEW YORK - JULY 13: Singer Kelly Clarkson visits the "Late Show with David Letterman" at the Ed Sullivan Theater on July 13, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kelly Clarkson

Getty Images

Kelly Clarkson arrives on the red carpet of the 20th Annual MuchMusic Video Awards at the MuchMusic HQ on June 21, 2009 in Toronto, Canada. 20th Annual MuchMusic Video Awards - Red Carpet MuchMusic HQ Toronto, ON Canada June 21, 2009 Photo by George Pimentel/WireImage.com To license this image (57745140), contact WireImage.com

George Pimentel/WireImage.com

Tags: Kelly Clarkson

Comments

(37)

Wednesday 21 April

By oldvarmints

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Your wrong Kelly, it could be a win win for you. All you have to do is go public and give your singing fee to a cigarette quitting charity. Sounds like the only thing to do. You give the fans what they want and stand by your no smoking stance.

There ya Go!!

By James Peacock

Kelly is a professional singer. This is a Job for her. She will earn her money and should keep her fee.

By Simzee

Hey it's not like she's endorsing weed or anything. Cigarettes are LEGAL everywhere in the world. Perhaps she could endorse Budweiser next.

By Rhonda Grisamore

Vote down Vote up Report this

I would have to say I agree.

By cb3r3al

That's actually a really good idea because of course, she wouldn't want to cancel a concert but as she said, damage has already been done. To help undo some damage, a donation to an organization like that would surely help somebody. It definitely help her image too if that's all she cared about.

By BTDT

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

If this girl is so vacuose that she doesn't know who is sponcering her tour, you can be sure we'll be reading about her management robbing her blind sometime in the future.

By e

Give me a break- If someone is going to smoke, they are going to smoke. Thats really stupid. If they go and smoke a cigarette because Kelly Clarkson is on the add then they have deeper issues they need to look into ;-) Just a thought

By Joe

Rex...Is her weight affecting you in some way? huh?

By terry

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Rex, your a 100% right from a health point of view.
if you look on the chart for the best weight for ones height
for longevity of life ,kelly clarkson exceeds the suggested weight.
she may say she feels healthy but eventually carring all that extra weight will take its toll.
every day in the papers we hear constantly how over weight the american public is. most of the people giving you flak are probably considerably overweight themselves and feel guilty about it so they lash out at whomever threatens them

By Cindy

REX: What does her weight have to do with her singing OR the smoking ad? Are you so perfect that you can judge others?

By David

Well, she IS at maximum density.

By sueb

Rex - Make her a deal, she will lose weight for you and you can lose your superficiality for her. There is nothing unhealthy about the size she is now. There is plenty unhealthy about judging others by appearances.

By rex

sueb, you should read what a person by the name of terry wrote above your post.
i would bet the person is probably right on the money and you are considerably overweight yourself

By j

um... WRONG... there is plenty wrong with her health and F A T size. The only thing she has going for her is her youth, and that won't last long considering her F A T @ss, laziness, overeating, etc... Those of you who think being FAT doesn't affect your health are simply moronic, and you are contributing to this nations health crisis with your naive and foolish perspective... go eat some more donuts you ret@rd...

By The Truth, it hurts

Better yet starting chain smoking those puppies and watch those unsightly pounds melt away. When you're handed lemons....

By burnsdonb

Her weight affects no one but her except for the fact that she is attempting to have a career entertaining the general public. She looks disgusting and should not be out in public until she does something about her obese state!

By New York Fan

All you body beautifuls out there need to take a good look in your own mirrors. Kelly admits that her weight fluctuates & she has a problem keeping her weight down, but she looks much better than all those that look emaciated from drug & alcohol abuse which is a bigger problem in the entertainment industry. Kelly is ok with her weight & has a great self image. The main thing is that she is a fantastic singer & is beautiful inside & out. I think you all should have a Big Mac, fries & a shake. Maybe then you won't be so cranky. FYI I am 5'1 110 lbs & never had a problem with my weight. Kelly you don't have to change a thing!!!

By jacknab97

burnsdonb--Kelly Clarkson is not nearly as fat as your head is--and she's better looking than you are, I'm sure, because you're certainly ugly on the inside.

By telvis

i think they are calling you a jerk rex.she can lose weight,but you will still be a jerk!!!!

By lee

I find it interesting that the pictures on her poster look nothing like her. Seriously.

Page 1 of 2