KELLY CLARKSON ROCKS BLENDER COVER

Thank goodness for photo cropping, airbrushing and a close-up shot. They are at least three methods employed by Blender magazine to make Kelly Clarkson look less than plump on the cover of next month's issue.

British paper The Sun calls the cover shot "smokin' hot" and adds, "Looking very rock chick in a black bustier, heavy make-up and disheveled hair, the singer looks a shadow of the cute All-American youngster who shot to fame on American Idol in 2002."

The newspaper printed some excerpts from Clarkson's interview with the magazine which includes her revelation that she doesn't like to kiss on the mouth.

"I have major trust issues. I just don't make out with people.

"That's a waste of my kisses and time. And it's so personal. It's like, my face.

"Plus, I'm afraid of mouth herpes."

She doesn't mince words when asked about her ex-boyfriend and keyboardist for group Evanescence, David Hodges.

"[He] got engaged the day we broke up,

"I didn't even really like the guy.

"I'm more mad at myself for being so blind. Why would I pick someone like him to date? What's wrong with me?"