Kelly Clarkson will reunite American Idol judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson on her talk show
Kelly Clarkson made her bones on American Idol, and she’s about to reunite with the gang.
The first-ever champion of the singing competition, 37, will welcome three of the show’s original judges, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, onto her new talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, in its first season.
‘We’re lucky we found Kelly on the first season of Idol,’ Cowell, 59, told People. ‘She doesn’t need to be told what to do, she knows exactly what she’s doing. And she’s a great person.’
Together again: Kelly Clarkson, 37, will welcome three of the show’s original judges, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, on her new talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show
Cowell, who skyrocketed to success in TV with the rise of American Idol, spoke to the publication Tuesday during an America’s Got Talent taping.
He added that he didn’t ‘think [he] would be standing here today’ if not for Clarkson’s appeal in making the series as massive hit in its debut season in the fall of 2002.
The show – which was originally hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman – went on to be a stalwart on Fox from 2002 thru 2016, also launching the careers of Jennifer Hudson and Carrie Underwood; it was rebooted for ABC last year.
Clarkson, buoyed by her hit ballad A Moment Like This, bested Justin Guarini in the initial competition, and went on to solo artist success with hit singles including Miss Independent, Since U Been Gone and My Life Would Suck Without You.
Pals: Kelly was on hand as Cowell was presented with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star last year
No business like show business: (L-R) Ryan Seacrest, Clarkson, Justin Guarini and Brian Dunkleman were seen in a throwback shot from the show in 2002
Cowell lauded the Texas-born beauty for her kind nature: ‘She is the most loyal, nice person, I mean genuinely, she is how she is off-camera as she is on-camera. She’s real, sweet, funny, a great girl.
‘Just seeing how she’s done as an artist and now how she’s progressed on TV, not everyone’s like this by the way.’
The 35-year-old songstress officially announced the new series last fall appearing on The Tonight Show, saying she was ‘very excited’ to join the daytime talk field.
‘I love talking – it’s my favorite pastime,’ she said. ‘It’s hard for me to shut up, though. You have to listen to people who come on your show, and I just keep talking! The only thing I’ve gotta work on is listening.’
The Kelly Clarkson Show is slated to premiere on NBC September 9.