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.

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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 >>

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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

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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

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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

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Comments

(37)

Wednesday 21 April

By JDSalinger

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EwwwwwwwwU, thisis....You must have been standing to close to your mother

By mhannah999

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There is no reason for her to cancel this concert. She is a paid performer, has made the public very aware of her position on smoking, and people should understand that. Do people not attend events because there is smoking at certain events or do they not attend ball games because there is alcohol at the ball game? Of course not!! I will continue to support her and I admire her for taking a stand and not disappointing her fans!!

By Steve

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Can anyone tell j is a liberal? Everything is a crisis with these people. LOL

By Pam

Can anyone tell Steve is a CON :)~

By LI NY

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Julio who are you calling a fat pig?? What are you 5 yrs old?? Kelly has more talent than you will ever know in your lifetime. Why so mean. What did she ever do to you??

By Darren

What I find shocking and amazing is that these performers, like Clarkson do not even bother to find out WHO is sponsoring them to sing till after the fact!? For all she knew the mob could have been the sponsor LOL
Just saying..

By murphykoz

HELLO! Smoking is a perfectly legal habit. Just because the U.S. is corny as hell about it doesn't mean the rest of the world is as closed minded. Lucky them. I wish I wasn't only allowed to smoke in my car and my property. GET A LIFE NAZIS!!!

By dakneebrasco79

Closed-minded? No, health-minded is more like it...and just b/c it's legal doesn't make it acceptable, there's a reason why cigs have been banned from TV ads for almost 40 years now.

By Christopher Poulios

Rather than doing ads for cigaretts, Kelly should consider doing ads for Jenny Craig. Good Lord!

By tED kRAMER

It seems food is her enemy not tobacco.

By fbb23451

Holy lunchlady arms, Batman!

By Shannon

I find it hard to believe she didn't know who was sponsoring her concert.

By Marcus

They say the camera adds 10 pounds. She looks like she ate 5 or 6 of them.

By Gina

kelly please get control of your weight. Be a role model