Warren Zeiders Says Shirtless Photo Helped Nail Viral Interview with Kelly Clarkson: 'I Work Hard for This Body' (Exclusive)

Warren Zeiders is opening up about his shirtless picture that left Kelly Clarkson flustered on her show. 

The former athlete turned country music star shared a photo from his lacrosse days on the daytime talk show that prompted an unexpected response from the host.

“Oh s—,” Clarkson said in the now-viral clip posted on Oct. 18. 

“I might have to take the jacket off,” Zeiders responded. 

“I didn’t know that was coming. I need to be prepared for that,” Clarkson, 42, said. “Well, that’s nice.”

The “Relapse” singer was nervous heading into one of his first TV interviews but realized he had nothing to worry about once his photo appeared on screen. 

“Truthfully, what went through my head was ‘I got this interview in the bag now,’” Zeiders, 25, told PEOPLE. “I take a lot of pride in myself and my discipline. I was just happy to see that I got a chance to make Kelly flustered. That definitely made me smile for sure.”

Zeiders is no stranger to showing off his physique to fans. On Instagram and TikTok, he regularly posts shirtless pictures and videos featuring his long hair and beard.

“Working out and taking care of myself physically and mentally is definitely a benefit to the brand and to the large fan base I have garnered with the female demographic,” Zeiders said. 

He believes his long hair is key: “I’ll say this much, I think I have the best hair in country music.” 

“It's become a real big staple for my look. No one else really kind of owns that market of the long hair,” he added. “Yes, it’s big. It’s a statement. My hair is normally kept up in a bun, but I always let it down for showtime. So that’s how you know showtime’s coming around.”

He says maintaining his appearance is no easy task: “I work hard for this body.”

Even on tour, he holds himself accountable. Throughout 39 shows on Jelly Roll’s The Beautifully Broken Tour he regularly worked out, took ice baths and used the sauna—even posting a boxing video with the tour’s leading man. 

Now back from tour, Zeiders is returning to a high-protein diet, including his favorite dishes: steak, sweet potatoes, pomegranate juice, protein shakes, and about six eggs in the morning. 

“I feel like I need to go through a detox after being on the road for two months,” the CMT award winner said.

Describing himself as "very confident individual," Zeiders credits both of his parents for their tough love and the lessons he learned early on. His 12-year career in lacrosse helped him develop the necessary discipline, routines and athleticism for country music and stardom. But the Billboard-charting singer hopes his confidence will inspire others.

“I’m not always gonna love what I see in the mirror after a workout, but I like sharing that with the world because it’s something that I’m prideful of. It’s been awesome to see me motivate other people as well,” he said. “I want to be inspiring to the people around me because that’s what my dad did for me, that’s what my mom did for me growing up.”

But for Zeiders, it is more than just good looks that make someone sexy. "I'm not just looking at the physical appeal, I'm looking at what else makes you sexy. Is it your brain? Do I like your tastes and flavors and certain things in life?" he says. "[This is what] I think about when I'm going on a date and trying to see if someone's attractive and if I could see us going anywhere."

For now, Zeiders has a few months off before heading out on his Relapse tour. In January, he will head to Europe—his first headlining tour there—before returning for the U.S. leg of the tour in March. 

Tickets for the Relapse tour are on sale now.