Kelly Clarkson brings ‘Idol’ lessons to ‘Duets’

Kelly Clarkson is having a major case of deja vu.

The first winner of “American Idol” is now helping other singers get their start in the new ABC talent competition “Duets,” premiering tonight at 8 on WCVB (Ch. 5). Clarkson, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles and Robin Thicke each pick two singers to perform with each week


“In all complete honesty, on the most cheesy note possible, that’s a lot of the reason why I chose to do the show,” Clarkson said earlier this week in a conference call with reporters.

“When I was on ‘Idol,’ I did not have anyone helping ... I love the fact that 10 years later, I get to actually be that person for two people that I get to hand-pick. It was just really cool to find talent that I believed in and give someone a chance. I think I understand American voting more than anyone.”

The native Texan believes the show will be different from the litany of other singing competitions because the stars will take the stage with the contestants.

“It’s basically like a big collaborative show,” she said. “It’s like boot camp for singers and artist. I don’t think people realize how hard it is to find someone who can sing well and harmonize.”

The Grammy winner, whose current album “Stronger”- has sold about 800,000 copies- in this country, struggled with eliminating contestants.

“I didn’t handle it well. I didn’t like telling people, ‘Oh, man, you didn’t quite make it,’” she said. “That’s the first time in my whole life that I’ve had to do something like that. I wanted to crawl in a hole. ... We have been in their shoes. Especially me, I’ve literally been them.”

The winner of “Duets” receives a recording contract with Hollywood Rec-ords, but Clarkson knows it takes more than a victory on a TV show to have a career.

“Right after ‘Idol,’ people think it all landed in my lap. It did not,” she said. “People hated ‘Idol.’ I don’t know if anybody remembers that, but all I did was get bashed left and right.”

“Duets” will merely be a potential launching pad for the winner.

“Whenever anybody wins, you get that 15 minutes of fame on television, yes, but after that, it’s hard work, it’s grueling,” she said. “The first four years of my career I had no life. ... Even with my two people I’ve picked for the show, I’m like, ‘This show is your 15 minutes right in front of the world, but what you do after that is really what counts and what’s going to make sure if you’re an artist or not and if this is what you want to do.’ Because you really have to work for it. I think people come on these shows and they think, ‘Oh, once you win, you’re golden.’ I think that’s proven that doesn’t happen.”