Kelly Clarkson Explains Why She’s Won’t Be Replacing Katy Perry on American Idol.

Kelly Clarkson, the inaugural winner of American Idol, has made it clear that she has no plans to step in as a judge on the show, following Katy Perry’s departure.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight at the Daytime Emmy Awards, Clarkson explained her decision, citing her commitment to her children. “I can’t do that, only because I promised my kids. I was like, ‘I wanna be there as much as I possibly can,’” she said. “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 previously balanced her roles as a coach on NBC’s The Voice and as the host of her LA-based daytime talk show. However, she relocated to the East Coast last year to spend more time with her children. “I wanted a life for us. And we enjoy the park every day, and we enjoy each other,” she shared. “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.”

Katy Perry recently concluded her seven-season run on American Idol, having been a key part of the ABC revival alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie since Season 16. With Perry’s departure, ABC has yet to announce who will fill her position when the show returns for Season 23.