Why Kelly Clarkson is Still in Awe of Paula Abdul All These Years After 'American Idol'

Paula Abdul, Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson, who got her start on the first season of American Idol in 2002 with judges Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell, is still singing high praise for Abdul ahead of her latest tour.

On a new episode of Clarkson's award-winning talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, the 41-year-old singer discussed her former mentor with Donnie Wahlberg, who is going on tour with Abdul as a member of the boy group New Kids on the Block.

While Wahlberg started by calling Abdul "amazing," Clarkson quickly jumped in to talk about the 61-year-old, appearing in awe of Abdul as she said, "She is incredible."

She went on to mention how Abdul's performances often feature acrobatics, lifts and elaborate dances, saying, "I wouldn't do that now or in my 20s...She loves it, and she's incredible at it."

"She puts younger people to shame," declared Clarkson as she went on to talk more with Wahlberg about plans for the upcoming tour. 

Many fans were in agreement with Clarkson's strong support for Abdul, as someone proclaimed, "Paula is PHA-NOMENAL ???? ?? ?? ????," while a different fan thought similarly as they wrote, "Paula is AMAZING ?????."

"?? @paulaabdul so exciting and love that she’s still going on tours ??," said a third.

Ever since Clarkson won American Idol, she seems to have remained quite close with Abdul, and all of the original judges attended and spoke at the ceremony when Clarkson received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In a 2022 interview with Today, Abdul called their relationship "beautiful," saying, "I always say I signed on her wall the first day of her show, ‘Remember, I’m your second mama, who’s so proud of you.'"

Abdul will be touring with New Kids on the Block and DJ Jazzy Jeff starting in June.

Next: Why Paula Abdul is Suing American Idol Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe