Kelly Clarkson and U2 Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. Bond Over Experience of Having Dyslexic Kids: ‘Feel Like I’m Failing’

Kelly Clarkson held back tears during a vulnerable conversation with U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. 

On the Wednesday, Jan. 22 episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, the singer and TV personality bonded with Mullen over their shared experience of raising a dyslexic child. When you don’t have anyone to talk to as a parent, Clarkson said, “I feel like I’m failing.”

“It’s a really hard thing being a parent, especially a parent that doesn’t have dyslexia,” Clarkson continued. “And you just try to talk to them or help them with homework or whatever, and you don’t really know what’s going on.”

Clarkson has two children, River Rose, 10, and Remington “Remy” Alexander, 8, and Mullen has three children, Aaron, 29, Ava, 26, and Ezra, 23. Clarkson and Mullen agreed it can be difficult to connect with a child who is dealing with dyslexia. 

“I knew my son was dyslexic, but I really didn’t understand him,” Mullen said of Aaron. “It was difficult in the house.” 

Mullen recalled his eldest son having “a very rough time” in school. He was diagnosed with dyslexia late, and Mullen suggested that dyslexic children who don’t get the proper attention are more likely to get into trouble.

“My son, I think, would have ended up in jail,” he said. “I think that that’s terrifying.”

Mullen’s experience inspired him to become a producer on Left Behind, a documentary about six mothers fighting to open New York City’s first public school for children with learning difficulties. He also contributed two original songs to the film.

The documentary “hit home” when Mullen first watched it, and he said he not only recognized what he hadn’t done as a parent but also considered what he could do now to better understand children with dyslexia. 

“I’ve spent all my career avoiding talking about my family. I just don’t want to involve them,” the drummer said. “And now, here I am on your show.” 

Clarkson also spoke with Naomi Peña of the Literacy Academy Collective, who is one of the parents featured in the documentary that fought City Hall to open The South Bronx Literacy Academy. 

At the end of the segment, Scholastic donated $15,000 to the Literacy Academy Collective, followed by another $15,000 contribution from Dav Pilkey, author of the Dog Man book series, and then Clarkson personally matched the donation. 

“I get it, too,’ Clarkson said. “That’s my family, too.”

Left Behind is now playing in select theaters.