Kelly Clarkson's ex told her she wasn't attractive enough for 'The Voice'

Kelly Clarkson was told by her former manager - who was also her husband at the time - that she was not attractive enough for The Voice and that he would prefer a "sex symbol" like Rihanna to sit on the panel.

Clarkson, who recently announced her retirement as a judge on the hit series after almost eight years, has revealed the painful words her ex-husband Brendan Blackstock made during their acrimonious divorce last year.

According to court documents cited in a new New York Post report, the Original American Idol testified during her financial battle against Blackstock that he tried to prevent her from wanting to become a coach on The Voice.

She allegedly told Clarkson that NBC executives were not interested in her and were "looking for another sex symbol" like Rihanna, not only because she was "hot," but also because the network "had to have a black person ... have something different.'

Clarkson admitted that her embarrassing words left a mark, emphasizing: "Her husband has not forgotten the time when she told him that she was not a sex symbol, so it remains."

However, it's clear that he didn't let his dream stop him, continuing to train countless new singers from season 14 to 21 - returning briefly for season 23 in 2023.

He even led four teams to victories during his tenure.

However, in May 2015, he announced his final departure from the show for "a fresh start," according to USA Today.