Simon Cowell says he 'wouldn't have a career' without American Idol's Kelly Clarkson

dailystar.co.uk:

Simon Cowell would have nothing without singer Kelly Clarkson, he has claimed as he honoured the superstar singer.Kelly, 40, found fame back in 2002 when she became the first winner of American Idol, catapulting her to international stardom.Since winning the talent show, which first aired in the UK, the star has gone on to rack up a string of hit records and awards, including a Grammy.READ MORE: X Factor stars to take ITV show to court over £1m 'bullying' and 'trauma' claimBut while Simon Cowell may have helped launch her career, the music mogul has also claimed Kelly helped him sustain a lengthy career in the music and entertainment business.Kelly was recently honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which saw former judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul reunite with Kelly and Simon.Praising Kelly, the dad-of-one said: "I remember the day we met you, I remember not just your voice but your personality."I didn't realise at that point how good you were, I just liked you, and I'm so thankful."I can honestly say thanks to you I'm here today, genuinely, I swear to God."He went on to add: "Because you validated what we did – if we didn’t find a star there's no point in doing these shows and I could never predict what was going to happen."The Kelly you see in front of the camera is the Kelly you see behind the camera, she is one of the nicest, most loyal, talented people I have had the great, great fortune to help."Kelly went on to say she was honoured to "not just have yes people" but to have had so much support over the past two decades.The singer is preparing for the release of her first album in five years, with the record believed to be focused on her split from her former husband, Brandon Blackstock.Kelly and.