Clarkson ok being butt of Billboard Awards jokes

Billboard Music Awards host Clarkson working on comedy skills

Kelly Clarkson feared she would be a disaster as the host of the 2018 Billboard Music Awards after realizing she would be fronting the ceremony solo.

The Stronger singer felt sure she would be a famous comedian’s wingman when she signed up for the gig, only to discover later that bosses expected her to stage the event on her own, bringing up all sorts of insecurities about how unfunny she is.

“That was a DEFCON, red-alert, total run-for-the-hills moment,” Clarkson tells USA Today, recalling the moment she learned the hosting duties were all hers, “but then we figured out something fun and cool to do that’s totally in my wheelhouse. Now I’m not really nervous.”

Clarkson hints her stint as ceremony host on Sunday will probably be filled with hilarious jokes taken at her own expense, adding, “I’m not afraid to look like an idiot, so we’ll start with that.” Certain types of gags that were completely off-limits for the pop star before she became host of the show are now on the table, with the 36-year-old revealing she has worked tirelessly with producers to perfect her comedy skills. “I cannot pull that off, making fun of people,” she says. “Every time I’d make a joke, I’d be like, ‘I’m just kidding. We’re cool, right?’ But we’ve found a way to do this.”

Although Clarkson is feeling more confident than ever about putting on a good show, the star admits she still has visions of screwing it all up when the cameras are rolling — and the show is live. She is scared she’ll just ramble on nervously if she forgets her lines.

“When I get nervous, I just don’t shut up. The plane never lands,” she says.

Clarkson is also hoping she won’t mispronounce anyone’s name. “I don’t want to pull a John Travolta and be like Nazee Whatever,” she says, referring to the actor’s infamous mispronunciation of Idina Menzel’s name at the 2014 Oscars. “I just don’t want to insult someone.”

Whatever happens, Clarkson is intent on fulfilling one major dream on the night — introducing herself to Janet Jackson.

“If I agree to host this show, I definitely deserve to meet Janet Jackson. That’s my big goal.”