What Will Become of Kelly Clarkson?

Kelly Clarkson has had a rough start to 2007. When it was announced that the singer's highly anticipated third album, "My December," would be released this summer fans and critics anxiously awaited the new music. Then the trouble started. The press began to document an on-going conflict between Clarkson and her record label, specifically head honcho and music mastermind Clive Davis, over the direction of her new album. It was reported that Davis was unimpressed with the quality of the new material, fearing it lacked hits. He urged Clarkson to re-record many of the tracks even threatening to shelve the disc entirely. Adding insult to injury it was reported that her label wanted her to re-record a song from Lindsay Lohan's last disc for the upcoming album. Sticking to her guns Clarkson pushed ahead with the release of the angry first single, "Never Again." The single stalled on the Billboard hot 100 at no.8. Not bad by any means, but a far cry from the 4 consecutive top 5 hit songs from her 2004 blockbuster album, "Breakaway."

Making matters worse many critics have panned "December," noting the lack of radio-friendly pop songs which made Clarkson one of the most popular singers since her win on the inaugural year of "American Idol" in 2002.

A scheduled arena tour was also recently canceled due to a lack of ticket sales, leading many to wonder if Clarkson's fans have ultimately rejected the new sound.

"My December" hits stores tomorrow, June 26th, and first week album sales results will determine once and for all if Clarkson's integrity or Clive Davis' knack for hits will prevail in the end.