KELLY Clarkson has responded to talk about possibly returning to her American Idol roots and replacing Katy Perry as a judge.
The singer’s name was released in recent weeks, as Katy’s place on the panel has not yet been filled.
However, Kelly, 42, assured fans that she would not take on the role as it would take too much time away from her family.
“I can’t do this, just because I promised my children. I was like, ‘I want to be there as much as I can,’” the talk show host said. Entertainment tonight at the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday.
She also noted that the position would require her to move to Los Angeles, Californiaafter just moving her talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, from Los Angeles to New York last year.
“And that would put me in Los Angeles, which is why I had to leave The Voice, because I love that team. And I miss them so much,” Kelly admitted, mentioning his former job as a coach on NBC’s The Voice.
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The artist then said that she is prioritizing her children — 9-year-old River Rose and 8-year-old Remington, who she shares with 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 enjoyed the park every day and had fun with each other,” Kelly said of getting into a new routine on the East Coast.
“As a parent – people understand this – you only have a certain amount of time before they don’t want to hang out with you anymore. [I can’t do Idol]. They are my children”, she concluded.
At the awards ceremony, the From Justin To Kelly star also spoke about having a “fresh start” in her cross-country transition and dealing with mental health issues following her nasty divorce from her ex.
“I’ll be very honest: I thought I was making a horrible decision. I knew I needed a fresh start and I couldn’t be in Los Angeles,” Kelly confessed during her acceptance speech after winning the award for Best Daytime Talk Series.
Last October, the actress revealed that her ideal place to live would be Montana, but acknowledged that it wasn’t the most accessible place to host a TV show.
“I really wanted to be in Montana, but you still can’t do a show there. So I thought, ‘The only other option would probably be New York,’ she said. USA today shortly after moving in.
Kelly seemed like the obvious choice to replace Katy on Idol, as she won the first season of the singing competition series, catapulting her to stardom.
Last month, Katy ended her 7-year tenure as a judge, leaving an empty seat alongside her fellow judges, Lionel Richie, 74, and Luke Bryan, 47.
Like Kelly, the Fireworks singer previously said she wanted to focus more on her family, as well as making new music.
I can’t do that, just because I promised my children. I was like, ‘I want to be there as much as I can.’
Kelly ClarksonEntertainment tonight
While producers search for a third judge, some A-list celebrities have already put themselves out there to be considered for the role.
One of them is Meghan Trainor, 30, who previously told the publication 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 if she would be interested in the job.
“This is my ultimate bucket list dream come true. Please, please consider me [laughs] in your program. Please, American Idol! Please! I’m ready. Okay, yes, I would love to,” Meghan pleaded.
The panel has always rotated judges, with presenter Ryan Seacrest, 49, the only original presence on the program throughout its 22 seasons.
Despite being defeated as a judge, ABC renewed Idol for a 23rd season, which is rumored to begin in mid-February based on previous seasons.
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