Kelly Making Waves Already?

According to the NY Times, Kelly Clarkson is attempting to assert her independence already:

Ms. Clarkson, 20, the former comedy-club waitress who triumphed on “American Idol” on Wednesday night, said in an interview that she was considering withdrawing from singing the national anthem at a Sept. 11 commemoration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

A Washington charity, Champions of Hope, had agreed with Ms. Clarkson’s management company, 19 Entertainment, one of the producers of the “American Idol” show, that the winner of the competition would sing at the organization’s “United Day of Service” ceremony on Sept. 11.

The deal prompted criticism that the producers of “American Idol,” which attracted 23 million viewers for the show’s finale, were turning a day of national mourning into a giant promotional opportunity. Yesterday, Ms. Clarkson said, “I think maybe it’s a bad idea.”

“If anybody thinks I’m trying to market anything, well, that’s awful,” she added. “I am not going to do it.”

Executives at Fox Television, which broadcast the program, last week began to distance themselves from the deal made by the producers of “American Idol.” One senior Fox executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a performance that day could be seen as exploitative. “I hope she reconsiders that one,” the executive said.

Melissa Helmbrecht, the founder of Champions of Hope, a group that organizes young people to volunteer for community service, said Ms. Clarkson was still on board.

“She’s still scheduled to sing,” Ms. Helmbrecht said.

Ms. Helmbrecht said that news stations had inquired about covering the events but that it was not scheduled to be broadcast on any specific network. It is open to the public, she said, and free.

Tom Ennis, who runs 19 Management, a division of 19 Entertainment Ltd., based in London, said yesterday that he would allay Ms. Clarkson’s concerns and that she would sing the anthem on Sept. 11.

That last bit is rather patronizing – I foresee friction dead ahead.

Meanwhile, Kelly and the Idolaters have a full schedule ahead of them:

American Idol’s top 30 contestants are scheduled to perform in a show from Las Vegas that will air on Fox on September 23.

A compilation album featuring the 10 American Idol finalists is expected in April, and the 10 finalists will kick off a six-week, 28-city U.S. tour on October 8 in San Diego, California. Tickets for Idol concerts Phoenix and Tampa are currently on sale, while tickets for Washington D.C. go on sale on Friday (September 6) followed by Anaheim on Sunday (September 8), and Indianapolis on Monday (September 9). The remaining tour tickets go on sale Saturday (September 7).

DVD ($19.99) and VHS ($14.99) compilations of the first season of American Idol can currently be pre-ordered at americanidolvideos.com, and are expected for release as early as October 1.

American Idol tour dates (subject to change):

October 8 – San Diego, CA – Cox Arena

October 9 – Phoenix, AZ – America West Arena

October 12 – San Antonio, TX – Freeman ColiseumOctober 13 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines CenterOctober 14 – Houston, TX – Compaq Center October 16 – Rosemont, IL – Allstate ArenaOctober 18 – Cincinnati, OH – US Bank ArenaOctober 19 – Nashville, TN – Gaylord Entertainment CenterOctober 21 – Atlanta, GA – Philips ArenaOctober 23 – Tampa, FL – St. Pete Times Forum October 24 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – National Car Rental CenterOctober 27 – Uniondale, NY – Nassau Coliseum October 28 – Worcester, MA – Worcester Centrum Centre

October 29 – Albany, NY – Pepsi ArenaNovember 1 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – First Union Arena

November 2 – Atlantic City, NJ – Trump Taj Mahal

November 3 – Washington, D.C. – MCI Center

November 5 – St. Louis, MO – Savvis CenterNovember 7 – Indianapolis, IN – Conseco Fieldhouse

November 8 – Cleveland, OH – CSU Convocation Center

November 10 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center

November 12 – Denver, CO – Magness Arena

November 15 – Anaheim, CA – Arrowhead Pond

November 16 – Sacramento, CA – ARCO ArenaNovember 17 – San Jose, CA – Compaq Center At San Jose

November 19 – Portland, OR – Rose Garden Arena

November 20 – Seattle, WA – Key Arena at Seattle Center