Kelly Clarkson responds to possibility of replacing Katy Perry on American Idol as judge’s spot on show remains vacant
KELLY Clarkson has responded to chatter about possibly returning to her American Idol roots and replacing Katy Perry as a judge.
The singer's name has been thrown around in recent weeks as Katy's seat on the panel has yet to be filled.
However, Kelly, 42, assured fans that she wouldn't take on the role as it would take too much time away from her family.
"I can’t do that, only because I promised my kids. I was like, 'I wanna be there as much as I possibly can,'" the talk show host told Entertainment Tonight at the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday.
She also noted that the position would require her to relocate to Los Angeles, California, after only moving her talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, from LA to New York City last year.
"And it would put me in LA, and that’s why I had to quit The Voice, which I love that team. And I miss them so much," Kelly admitted, mentioning her former gig as a coach on NBC's The Voice.
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The performer then said she's prioritizing her children - 9-year-old River Rose, and 8-year-old Remington, whom she shares with her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock - and wants to be present in their lives, especially while they're young.
"I wanted a life for us. And we enjoy the park every day, and we enjoy each other," Kelly said about getting into a new routine on the East Coast.
"As a parent — people get this — you only get so much time until they don’t want to hang out with you. That’s the reason [I can’t do Idol]. It’s my kiddos," she concluded.
At the awards ceremony, the From Justin To Kelly star also spoke about getting a "fresh start" with her cross-country transition, and dealing with mental health struggles following her nasty divorce from her ex.
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"I’ll be real honest: I thought I was making a horrible decision. I knew I needed a fresh start and couldn’t be in LA," Kelly confessed during her acceptance speech after winning the award for Best Daytime Talk Series.
Last October, the actress revealed her ideal place to live would be Montana, but acknowledged that wasn't the most accessible location to host a TV show.
"I really wanted to be in Montana, but you can’t really do a show from there quite yet. So I was like, 'The only other option would probably be New York," she told USA Today shortly after moving.
Kelly seemed to be the obvious choice to take over for Katy on Idol since she won the first season of the singing competition series, catapulting her to stardom.
Last month, Katy ended her 7-year run as a judge, leaving an empty chair beside her fellow judges, Lionel Richie, 74, and Luke Bryan, 47.
Similarly to Kelly, the Fireworks singer previously said she wanted to devote more time to her family, as well as to making new music.
I can’t do that, only because I promised my kids. I was like, 'I wanna be there as much as I possibly can.'
Kelly Clarkson
While producers have been on the hunt for a third judge, some A-list celebrities have already thrown their hats in the ring to be considered for the job.
One is Meghan Trainor, 30, who previously told the publication that she was interested in the position.
"There's nothing I want more in life than to be a judge on American Idol," the All About That Bass singer told her husband, Daryl Sabara, who asked whether she'd be interested in the spot.
"That is my ultimate bucket list dream come true. Please, please consider me [laughs] on your show. Please, American Idol! Please! I'm ready. Alright, yeah, I would love to," Meghan pleaded.
The panel has always had a rotation of judges, with host Ryan Seacrest, 49, being the only original fixture on the show throughout its 22 seasons.
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Despite being down a judge, ABC renewed Idol for Season 23, which is rumored to kick off sometime in mid-February, based on past seasons.
