KELLY CLARKSON FOR ELLE MAGAZINE

Kelly is on the cover of the new issue of Elle.

On battling with record industry executives over the release of My December:

"I've sold more than 15 million records worldwide, and still nobody listens to what I have to say. Because I'm 25 and a woman...My resistance upsets a lot of people, because we could make a lot of money. And I'm not hatin' on money. But you know in Funny Girl, when they make Barbara Streisand sing the 'beautiful girl' song, and she is singing these lyrics and she knows she's not that person? I'm just not comfortable doing things that don't feel like me."

On declining an offer of $10 million by Clive Davis to ditch five of her songs for more radio-friendly picks of his choosing: "I am a good singer, so I can't possibly be a good writer. Women can't possibly be good at two things. I haven't lost my temper about it. It only drives me more. If your thing is to bring me down, cool. I'll just work harder."

On being famous: "I could give a crap about being a star. I've always just wanted to sing and write."

On unflattering paparazzi shots: "I'm fine with it. I just don't care. I don't wear makeup in public. I don't worry about what I'm wearing. Hell, I wore pajamas in high school."

On being ambivalent about her success: "It is weird when a 12-year-old tells me I am their favorite artist. I'm always like, It's just because you're young and you haven't heard everybody yet. In time, I'll be weeded out. And that's cool. I know I'm a good singer, but I know who I am, too."

On not wanting children: "My point of view is that I shouldn't be a mother at all, because I'd be horrible. I'm not willing to be that selfless."

On marriage: "I'm not keen on marriage. I don't let many people in. Men come and go. Friends are what I care about."

On her 'type': "I can't stand pretty boys. The guys I date are the just-rolled-out-of-bed, scruffy type. Baseball cap, flannel shirt. Like Luke on Gilmore Girls."

On never having been in love: "I know people probably think I've been heartbroken, because of the stuff I've sung and written. I love my friends and family. But I have never said the words 'I love you' to anyone in a romantic relationship. Ever. I am very old-school, conservative in my thinking when it comes to relationships. Love is something you work at. It doesn't come easily. There are going to be bad days. You are going to have to work at loving someone when they are being an idiot. People think they're just going to meet the perfect guy. Don't be ridiculous."

On refusing to talk about past relationships: "When it comes to certain parts of my life, I won't allow myself to be vulnerable at all. I have a lot of trust issues. Most people are like that, I think."