Kelly Clarkson Defends Herself After The Voice Contestant Accuses Her of Being "Small Minded"

Kelly Clarkson has responded to an eliminated The Voice contestant who accused the American Idol alum of being "small minded" for comparing her to other gay performers.

Singer Molly Stevens, who was on Clarkson's team until she was eliminated during Monday's battle rounds, shared in a now-deleted Instagram post that she was offended by Clarkson saying that she reminded her of the Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge, saying it was a "labeling trap" and "small minded."

"While I'm extremely honored to be in that category of talent I do believe that comment did us all a disservice and only threw us into a labeling trap," Stevens wrote in the screengrabbed post. "It felt small minded to me and exactly what I feel we need to bring attention to the world."

Stevens continued, "I am a singer songwriter who happens to be gay. And so is @melissa_etheridge and the @indigogirlsmusic ... But it's a common stereotype that happens too often. People put us in boxes."

Clarkson responded to Stevens statement on Twitter, pointing out that Steven didn't include Clarkson's comparison of her to straight singer Patty Griffin in her Instagram post. "I compared Molly to Melissa Etheridge, Patty Griffin (a name that was left out conveniently), & the Indigo Girls purely because the rasp in her voice & that she's an amazing storyteller," Clarkson explained.

Stevens then apologized for mischaracterizing Clarkson and her words. "I sincerely apologize for any hurt I may have caused with my words. This was not my intention at all," she wrote. "For the people who know me well, you know my heart well too. I strive to live in truth and light. @kelly_clarkson I truly apologize for thinking differently I look up to you."

The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC.