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Was Kelly Clarkson, the former American Idol winner from Texas and successful performing artist, put on a so-called digital diet? Apparently so, as she flaunts a much slimmer body on the current cover of SELF magazine. The altered image has raised questions over why it was done when Clarkson has always openly maintained that she is happy with her looks as is.

The magazine’s editor defended the post-production corrections, saying that airbrushing is an industry standard and that the magazine stands behind its decision. Editor-in-Chief Lucy Danziger was quoted as having said, “Kelly Clarkson exudes confidence, and is a great role model for women of all sizes and stages of their life. She works out and is strong and healthy, and our picture shows her confidence and beauty.”

So, what does Clarkson say about her weight? In the article that accompanies the cover story in SELF, she says: “My happy weight changes. Sometimes I eat more; sometimes I play more. I'll be different sizes all the time. When people talk about my weight, I'm like, 'You seem to have a problem with it;' I don't. I’m fine! I've never felt uncomfortable on the red carpet or anything.”

This isn’t the first time Clarkson’s image has apparently been slimmed down for print. Clarkson had joked about her fourth album cover, All I Ever Wanted that was released in March in the U.S. She blogged about seeing it: "It's very colorful, and they have definitely Photoshopped the crap out of me, but I don’t care! Whoever she is, she looks great."

Other celebrities have had harder times with public scrutiny. Reports have indicated that actresses Mischa Barton and Jennifer Love Hewitt took it personally and hard when unflattering photos of them showing cellulite and untoned bodies surfaces–experiences that they have had to work through. Hewitt has made numerous public statements since that people should learn to love their bodies and to be more accepting that people come in all sizes and shapes.