Kelly Clarkson has confessed that she will spank her children if they misbehave – but insists that it's not in a way to hurt them.
The Voice US coach explained that it can often become "tricky" given the nature surrounding smacking children, which some deem to be unacceptable.
Despite the controversy surrounding the topic, the 41-year-old Grammy winner believes that it "really helped" her daughter during her earlier years to prevent her from being naughty.
Kelly, who found fame on American Idol shares her two children River Rose and son Remington Alexander with her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, who she divorced in 2021.
Speaking on Atlanta Radio station 94.1 in 2018, the Mr. Know It All said: "I'm not above a spanking, which people aren't necessarily into.
"I don't mean hitting her hard, I just mean a spanking."
The chat show host continued: "My parents spanked me, and I did fine in life, and I feel fine about it, and I do that as well.
"That's a tricky thing, when you're out in public, because then people are like, they think that's wrong or something, but I find nothing wrong with a spanking."
But Kelly stressed that she doesn't randomly spank her children, explaining: "I warn her, I'm like, 'Hi, I'm going to spank you on your bottom if you don't stop right now, this is ridiculous'.
"Honestly it's really helped. She doesn't do that kind of stuff as often."
Across America, spanking children is still legal, while in parts of the UK, it is illegal for a carer to smack their child unless it is "reasonable punishment". Wales has made all forms of physical punishment illegal.
The star is known for being open about her life as a mother and previously discussed the heartbreak her children faced following her divorce from their father.
Speaking on The Angie Martinez IRL Podcast, Kelly confessed: "Sometimes they'll say, especially the past two years, and it kills me and I want them to be honest, so I don't ever say, 'Oh god, don't tell me that,' but a lot of times it would be like, 'You know, I'm just really sad. I wish mommy and daddy were in the same house.'"
The superstar said she appreciates them being so honest and continued: "I'm raising that kind of individual. I want you to be honest with me."
She admitted that hearing them talk so candidly can be hard at times, but insisted she knows how they feel as she too grew up with parents who divorced.
The Mirror has approached Kelly's representatives regarding the resurfaced comments.
