Kelly Clarkson Reveals Why She Won’t Be Katy Perry’s American Idol Replacement

American Idol is currently down a judge since Katy Perry announced her departure in February. While ABC has not yet made a decision as to who will replace her, we now know who’s not in the running: Kelly Clarkson.

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Clarkson officially took her hat out of the ring Friday telling Entertainment Tonight that she’s not planning on becoming a judge of the singing competition she won back in 2002.

“I can’t do that, only because I promised my kids,” the singer said. “I was like, ‘I wanna be there as much as I possibly can.’ And it would put me in L.A., and that’s why I had to quit The Voice , which I love that team. And I miss them so much.”

Clarkson formerly hosted her daytime talk series The Kelly Clarkson Show from L.A., but moved to New York last year to spend more time with her kids. She departed The Voice after her ninth and final season, Season 23, in 2023.

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“I wanted a life for us,” Clarkson continued. “And we enjoy the park every day, and we enjoy each other. 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.”

Perry made her final Idol appearance at the show’s May 19 finale, where she performed wearing a dress printed with the faces of the contestants she guided during her tenure on the show. The singer was part of the ABC singing competition’s revival alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie since Season 16.

Who would you like to see join American Idol as its new host? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

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