Kelly Clarkson has opened up about the possibility of replacing outgoing American Idol judge Katy Perry on the show – 22 years after winning the show.

Since U Been Gone hitmaker Clarkson, 42, who now fronts a hit daytime show, said she wouldn’t be up for the full circle career moment as her two young children need her at home.

The star – who shares her daughter River, 10, and son Remington, eight, with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock – told USA Today: ‘No. No. I can’t do that, only because I promised my kids. I was like, “I want to be there as much as I possibly can.”

‘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.

‘I’ve learned a lot about what I’m capable of handling, and also what you should not handle. That was me saying ‘bye’ to ‘The Voice’ and having this big move. I love that family, but I was like, ‘I’m struggling. I can’t smile anymore. I don’t feel like smiling.’

Kelly Clarkson has opened up about the possibility of replacing outgoing American Idol judge Katy Perry on the show – 22 years after winning the show

Katy completed her six year tenure on Idol last month (pictured at her final show)

The Stronger singer competed on the first season of American Idol in 2002. She defeated Justin Guarini for the crown. 

Since then, Clarkson’s career has taken off in a way that even other American Idol winners haven’t experienced.

The Since U Been Gone singer has three Grammy Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards and a People’s Choice Award.

She’s since appeared as a judge on the television show The Voice, and her talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show has taken home numerous Daytime Emmy Awards – including another at Saturday’s Daytime Emmys.

Katy Perry surprisingly revealed in February during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live that this would be her last season as a judge on American Idol.

Jimmy asked Katy if she would be on American Idol for as long as it goes.

‘You know, actually this fall in September I’m going to be doing this huge music festival in Brazil called Rock In Rio. It’s really exciting,’ Katy began her answer.

The Stronger singer competed on the first season of American Idol in 2002. She defeated Justin Guarini for the crown

The star – who shares her daughter River, 10, and son Remington, eight, with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock – told USA Today : ‘No. No. I can’t do that, only because I promised my kids. I was like, “I want to be there as much as I possibly can’ – pictured 2022

‘It’s a big deal. It’s a big deal for people all over the world, especially for my Brazilian fans. I think this probably will be my last show, my last season for Idol. I mean, I love Idol so much,’ she added.

The singer, real name Katheryn Hudson, joined American Idol for its reboot in 2018 as the singing competition moved from its original home on Fox to ABC.

She departed the show last month