Clarkson says she's never been in love

NEW YORK -

Kelly Clarkson, who rails against a former flame in her new song "Never Again," says she's never been in love. "I love my friends and family," the Grammy-winning singer and original "American Idol" tells Elle magazine in its July issue. "But I have never said the words `I love you' to anyone in a romantic relationship. Ever."

Clarkson, 25, doesn't take romance lightly.

"I am very old-school, conservative in my thinking when it comes to relationships," she says. "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."

She adds: "People think they're just going to meet the perfect guy. Don't be ridiculous."

Marriage and motherhood aren't in the cards for Clarkson — not right now, anyway.

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

Her comments speak to the singer's frankness, which makes Clarkson stand out from many of today's publicist-protected pop stars. In recent weeks, there have been headlines about apparent battles between Clarkson and music mogul Clive Davis over her upcoming CD, "My December," due to be released by June 26 on RCA Records, a unit of Sony BMG Music Entertainment. Clarkson has said those reports were exaggerated.

On Tuesday, Us Weekly and People magazine both reported that Clarkson had cut ties with her manager, Jeff Kwatinetz. A representative for Clarkson referred all calls to Kwatinetz, whose office declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press.

In her interview with Elle, Clarkson discusses the difficulties of taking control of her career.

"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," she says.

"I am a good singer, so I can't possibly be a good writer," she continues. "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."

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On the Net:

Elle magazine:

http://www.elle.com/

Kelly Clarkson:

http://www.kellyclarkson.com/