Just three weeks ago, “American Idol” said goodbye to Katy Perry, leaving a spot on the judging panel vacant alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.
Ever since she announced her departure earlier this year, fans and media have been speculating about who might take Perry’s coveted position.
Kelly Clarkson, the original “Idol” winner, was asked if she would consider coming full circle when she returned to replace Perry on the show. Clarkson served as a coach on rival show “The Voice” from seasons 14 to 21 before taking a brief hiatus. She briefly returned for season 23 last year.
‘American Idol’ judge Katy Perry asks Jelly Roll to fill in for her on the show
Kelly Clarkson attended the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on June 7, 2024 in Los Angeles. (Rodan Eckenroth/Getty Images)
“No, I can’t do that. I made a promise to my kids, and I was like, ‘I want to be there as much as I can,'” Clarkson said.“Tonight’s Entertainment” “Then I had to leave The Voice because I had to go to L.A.”
Clarkson famously won the first season of “American Idol” in 2002. She made her debut on “The Voice” in 2018. “I love that team, and I miss them so much,” Clarkson told ET about her “The Voice” crew.
Kelly Clarkson is the original “American Idol,” having won the competition show’s first season. (SGranitz/WireImage/Getty Images)
Clarkson, 42, previously admitted that the final four seasons of “The Voice” were tough. “I’ll be honest with you, I was smiling throughout it all because I was really struggling in my personal life,” Clarkson said. USA Today During October.
Kelly Clarkson left “The Voice,” which is filmed in Los Angeles, after season 23. She and her family now live in New York City. (Evans Vestal Ward/NBC via Getty Images)
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“I learned a lot about what I can and shouldn’t deal with. It was the same for me saying ‘goodbye’ to ‘The Voice’ and making this big move. I love that family, but I was like, ‘I’m suffering. I can’t laugh anymore. I’m not in the mood to laugh.'”
Clarkson left Los Angeles with her two children for New York City, where she films her show, “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”
Kelly Clarkson won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2024 for “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” (Weiss Eubanks/Syndication via Getty Images)
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In February, Perry Leaving “American Idol” She was presented with the award after seven years as a judge, and at the time she said she was excited about what was to come: “I have a few things planned for this year,” she announced on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Katy Perry served as a judge on “American Idol” alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan for seven years. The three joined the show together when ABC revived the show in 2018. (Disney/Eric McCandless/Getty Images)
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Perry then became a musician Jelly Roll takes her place Next season.
Several names have been mentioned as possible replacements for Perry, including Meghan Trainor and Jon Bon Jovi.
