Kelly Clarkson is stepping in for Simon Cowell on ‘AGT’

It may be hard to remember now, but Kelly Clarkson and Simon Cowell go back. Way back. All the way to season one of American Idol kind of back. So when America’s Got Talent needed someone to step in and temporarily replace Cowell following his harrowing bike accident this past weekend, Clarkson seemed like a natural fit.“My friend, Simon Cowell, is doing better now but was in an accident and won’t be able to make Tuesday and Wednesday’s live shows for AGT,” Clarkson revealed in a statement. “But no worries America, someone far wiser, cooler, and hotter is taking his seat! The unbelievably amazing Kelly Clarkson. You’re welcome in advance,” she joked, tagging Cowell in the post.

URGENT MEMO.... from yours truly! ? @AGT @SimonCowell #AGT pic.twitter.com/msAjXqxBB1

— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) August 10, 2020

Clarkson was referring to Cowell’s accident on August 8, when he fell from his new electric bike in Malibu. The 60-year-old was rushed to hospital and underwent immediate surgery, only to later reveal that he had broken part of his back. Only missing a couple of days of AGT seems like a pretty decent recovery, all things considered.

And a massive thank you to all the nurses and doctors. Some of the nicest people I have ever met.Stay safe everyoneSimon.

— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) August 10, 2020

According to Cowell’s ex, Terri Seymour, Cowell was showing off just how powerful his new toy was to his son (Eric) and his step-son (Adam). The bike, which according to Page Six costs more than $20,000 US, has been banned from open roads in the UK because it can get up to more than 95 kph. “It’s very fast and very powerful,” Seymour told Extra, where she is a correspondent. “I don’t think he realized how powerful it was, and he flew off the bike, landed on his back.” She added that after six hours of surgery Cowell has since taken a few steps.[video_embed id='2011156']RELATED: Simon Cowell breaks his back in e-bike accident[/video_embed]As for Clarkson in the judging seat? That really does seem like a no-brainer when you consider how naturally she fit in with the crew over at The Voice, which like America’s Got Talent, airs on NBC in the States. Not only does she bring the banter with her fellow coaches, but her contestant, Bryan Cartelli, also won the show’s 14^th season. No word on whether she’ll bring the fun smack talk to the other AGT judges (Heidi Klum, Howie Mandell, and Sofia Vergara), but fans can only hope.It’s also worth noting that Clarkson has been killing it on the daytime circuit with her buzzy talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show, which debuted last September. Her hot Kellyoke takes are always populating fans’ social media feeds, she memorably got Steve Carell to relive the famous “Kelly Clarkson” scene from The 40-Year-Old Virgin on the series’ debut, and so far on the show she’s welcomed everyone from Jay Leno and Ellen DeGeneres to Jennifer Garner and The Rock (who left his honeymoon to be Clarkson’s first interview after OG guest Kevin Hart was hospitalized with a back injury). Naturally, fans were anything but surprised when Clarkson was also named Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show host at this year’s Daytime Emmys.It also helps that Clarkson was the perfect neighbour when she first set up shop at NBC Universal Studios (you know, back before social distancing), and she crashed the This Is Us and AGT sets in order to drop off some goodies and introduce herself. In a fun bit involving Mandell and host Terry Crews, Clarkson dropped off Bundt cake while Mandell fanned out with a Kelly Clarkson t-shirt and posters all over his dressing room walls.This week’s AGT offerings mark the season’s first live shows, so Clarkson is definitely doing Cowell a solid by stepping in. Not only has Cowell sat at the judges table since the show began in 2006, but he is also one of the executive producers.This could be the year of Kelly Clarkson indeed. Now the only question left is, when does that girl find time to sleep?[video_embed id='2007459']Before you go: Gabrielle Union calls out Terry Crews for lack of ‘AGT’ support[/video_embed]