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

Mar. 15, 2025

From left: U2 Drummer Larry Mullen Jr., Kelly Clarkson and Naomi Peña on ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’.Photo:The Kelly Clarkson Show

The Kelly Clarkson Show

Kelly Clarksonheld back tears during a vulnerable conversation with U2 drummerLarry Mullen Jr.

“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 hastwo 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.

Kelly Clarkson with her kids River Rose Blackstock and Remington “Remy” Blackstock.Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty

Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty

“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 onLeft 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.

‘Left Behind’.

“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.

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

Left Behindis now playing in select theaters.

source: people.com