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Kelly Clarkson reveals the one song in history she's afraid to cover

By Megan Armstrong | Last updated 4/6/21

The first time the world saw Kelly Clarkson, she was covering Madonna's "Express Yourself" during her American Idol audition. The 38-year-old's career was built upon her ability to successfully sing covers, but she revealed during Monday's episode of NBC's The Voice that she does draw the line at one song.

Ok but how amazing would @KellyClarkson covering @LuisFonsi's #Despacito be? pic.twitter.com/nVrfNM6NWA
— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) April 6, 2021

"You have the one song in history I'm afraid to cover," Clarkson told Fonsi. "'Despacito.'"

"Aw, come on," Fonsi replied. "You have to cover it now!"

Clarkson said she has "practiced so hard because I love singing in Spanish or just different languages," but she's still a little bit intimidated to tackle what she dubbed "the biggest song of all time." Fonsi conceded that it is difficult because "it is a lot of lyrics."

The Voice is in the thick of the "Battles" rounds, and Luis Fonsi served as Team Kelly's advisor during rehearsals. Clarkson's segments that aired Monday night were pre-recorded, as she has been absent from taping since late March due to illness. Kelsea Ballerini, a former team adviser, has been keeping Clarkson's seat warm.

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Clarkson has been serving as a Voice coach beginning with Season 14 in early 2018. The "Since U Been Gone" star is uniquely qualified to guide contestants through a singing competition show because, as previously established, she became the first-ever American Idol winner in 2002. The Texas native has gone on to win three Grammys, including 15 overall nominations.

Clarkson is a proven hit-maker, and she has further cemented her ability to slay other artists' hits on her eponymous daytime talk show's popular "Kellyoke" segment. She performed Matchbox Twenty's "3AM" on Monday's episode:

There is no shame in being hesitant to touch "Despacito," though. Fonsi's track with Daddy Yankee got a Justin Bieber remix and made history at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2017, spending 52 total weeks on the chart. The remix was also nominated for record of the year, song of the year and best pop duo/group performance at the 60th Grammy Awards.

Clarkson is set to rejoin Blake Shelton, John Legend and Nick Jonas on the coaching panel when the "Knockouts" commence April 19. The announcement was made last week that Snoop Dogg will step in as this season's "Mega Mentor" for the knockout round.
The Voice airs every Monday beginning at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.

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