Kelly Clarkson Suggests Carrie Underwood for ‘Idol’ Judge

Kelly Clarkson just wrapped her first season as a mentor on the TV talent show, "Duets," alongside Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, John Legend and Robin Thicke. But while the Texan got her big break on another singing competition when she became the first winner of "American Idol" in 2002, she insists she would rather take the role of a coach or teacher than fill one of the two recently-vacated judge's seats on "Idol."

"I don't want to be a judge. Mentor is more my style," Kelly tells Us Weekly magazine. "And not just mentoring, getting to be a part of the song with them, getting them amped up -- from our rehearsals to stage, it's so exciting being onstage. It's fun!"

The "Stronger" singer, who recently became the "Idol" contestant with the best-selling single of all time, does have one suggestion for a new judge: fellow "Idol" winner Carrie Underwood.

"Didn't she major in journalism?" Kelly says of the country superstar (who, indeed graduated manga cum laude with a bachelor's degree in mass communications -- with an emphasis in journalism). "And she can have that face ... that bluff face! She can put that on! She would be good."

Even if Carrie might excel at it, the singer insists she has no interest in doing so. "I don't know if I could ever be a judge," she told Australia's Pop Sugar. "I might be better as a mentor. I would rather encourage than criticize."

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