Kelly Clarkson: 'American Idol, X Factor are new artist development'
The 'Stronger' singer, who won the first season of American Idol in 2002, claimed that the current music industry climate makes it harder for musicians to succeed, a problem which televised contests help to ease.
"There's no money in music now, so if an artist comes in and they don't hit it right away then that's it. So, there's not really artist development in that," Clarkson explained to Bang Showbiz.
"But with talent shows, whether it be X Factor, American Idol or Pop Idol or The Voice, you're learning from the judges, and the mentors and yourself every week, so I think it's just another form of artist development, in a contemporary way."
Clarkson also discussed her thoughts on the criticism that many acts who come out of talent shows receive, saying: "I don't know if it's a good or a bad thing that these artists are in the charts a lot.
"I think it's just the way it is right now. Everybody's struggling because of the internet, downloading and nobody's making as much money as they used to so, I think artists' development at labels has really just diminished."
Sales of Clarkson's fifth studio LP Stronger soared on Amazon this week after the singer publicly endorsed Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul.
Watch Kelly Clarkson's video for 'Stronger' below: