Carrie Underwood 'Blown Away' by Kelly Clarkson's Kindness (EXCL)
Kelly Clarkson has nothing but love and respect for Carrie Underwood, despite rumors of a feud that they’ve both emphatically denied – and a source exclusively tells Life & Style she’s been offering support and prayers ahead of her fellow American Idol winner’s big judging debut on March 9.
“This whole thing about Kelly being jealous of Carrie or competitive with her couldn’t be further from the truth,” the insider explains. “She’s a huge fan and loves that she’s come full circle and will be an Idol judge, Kelly thinks that’s just so cool.”
“What better person to have — somebody that’s won that show to come back,” Kelly, 42, told E! News on September 12, 2024. “To have gone through it all and then had such a huge career like her, that’s invaluable.”
The “Because of You” singer insisted Carrie, 41, would “be honest” in her judging duties because she’s been in the contestants’ shoes before.
“To have somebody to look at and go, ‘OK, they’ve done it and they’re sitting right there. So, that means I am capable of doing it. I can dream that big,’” Kelly added, emphasizing that Carrie was an “awesome pick” to replace Katy Perry as a judge on the show.
“I think she’s gonna do great,” she said.
As the source notes, the two singers denied allegations of any feud between them, saying it’s been drummed up unfairly. Both have made a point of supporting each other over the years publicly.
Kelly posted, “I think we’re both winning in life and pretty blessed! Singers, mamas, CEOs…” in response to the rumors.
With Carrie adding, “I do wish more publications would just celebrate women’s success without pitting them against each other … Love ya!”
While the two “aren’t close friends by any means,” the source continues, “they have each other’s contacts, and Kelly has reached out to let her know that she’s going to be watching and rooting her on.”
“Kelly would never offer unsolicited advice, but she made it clear if Carrie needs anything she’s there and wanting nothing more than to see her completely kill it.”
Carrie will be joining a panel sporting some big names — Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie — with Ryan Seacrest returning to host.
A second source previously dished to Life & Style that the Wheel of Fortune host “has really taken her under his wing, and he’s instructed the other judges to do the same.”
“He wants them to really make her feel welcome, not just because he considers her a close friend but also because he would love for her to do more than one season. He thinks it’s a huge coup to have one of the show’s biggest success stories front and center at the judges’ table and believes she’ll serve as an inspiration for all the contestants,” that source added.
Showing even more support for Idol’s newest judge, Kelly is “also very keen to have Carrie on her show anytime she’s ready,” the first source adds. “Carrie was blown away by Kelly’s kindness and generosity. She’s got a lot of anxiety about how this will all go so the more people in her corner right now, the better.”