Kelly Clarkson funnily compares her wealth to Taylor Swift: ‘Ballin’ on a budget’

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: Kelly Clarkson made fun of herself and compared her wealth to Taylor Swift during Night 2 of her 'Studio Sessions' residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

The 'Kelly Clarkson Show' host joked that she was "ballin' on a budget" while explaining why her residency features a more intimate production than large-scale stadium tours. Clarkson and Swift also share a long-standing professional bond, with Clarkson famously suggesting that Swift re-record her first six albums after losing the rights to her masters in 2019.

Kelly Clarkson explains why she enjoys live performances and studio sessions

Now on Saturday, July 18, Clarkson told the audience that she’s asked, “‘Do you like performing live or do you like performing in a studio?’ I like both.’”

“They’re very different. But, I kind of want to bring that vibe. When you go see shows now — I’m not downing any shows, it’s for obvious reasons especially when you’re traveling and touring — usually you can’t take so many musicians, right?” she noted.

Kelly Clarkson jokes she is 'ballin' on a budget' compared to Taylor Swift

The 'American Idol' winner then quipped, “Unless you’re Taylor Swift,” before joking, “Congratulations. But when you’re not her, when you’re ballin’ on a budget, you get something cool like this.”

“We love this venue so much,” Clarkson added.

Kelly Clarkson reflects on the inspiration behind 'Behind These Hazel Eyes'

Elsewhere during the show, the 44-year-old singer also jokingly said that “sometimes you’re in a sh---- relationship... and then you write a song about it and make a lot of money. This is called ‘Hazel Eyes.’”

Clarkson’s 'Behind These Hazel Eyes' was released in 2005 and quickly became a hit.

At the time, the mother of two had said that the song was about “the dipstick who completely screwed up and now is unhappy and you’re happy. And then you’re just shouting praises at the fact that he’s miserable in ‘Since U Been Gone.’”

Kelly Clarkson once called Taylor Swift the 'best-selling artist'

Clarkson directly tagged Swift in a 2019 X post, encouraging her to re-record her songs after losing the rights to her masters.

She wrote, “@taylorswift13 just a thought, U should go in & re-record all the songs that U don’t own the masters on exactly how U did them but put brand new art & some kind of incentive so fans will no longer buy the old versions. I’d buy all of the new versions just to prove a point .”

The Grammy winner followed Clarkson's advice by re-releasing four of her first six albums under the title 'Taylor's Version'. Swift also expressed her gratitude by sending Clarkson flowers after each re-release.

In 2023, the 'Stronger' hitmaker reportedly called Swift “the best-selling artist I feel like of all-time now."