Kelly Clarkson: Franklin inspires me

Kelly Clarkson says she was "blown away" when she saw Aretha Franklin in concert.

The American Idol star loves powerful female musicians and finds inspiration in their incredible on-stage charisma.

The Since U Been Gone singer is known for her fantastic live performances, but is bowled over by watching some of her idols croon.

"I love powerhouse women, I love Annie Lennox, I love Aretha. Have you seen her in concert? I was blown away, she is captivating," she told UK TV show This Morning.

The 30-year-old star said that she gets mocked for her many collaborations in country music, but insisted that she is in high demand by fellow musicians.

Kelly is intent on recording duets with artists across all genres.

"I love doing duets. People always laugh at me because I always do a lot of duets in country music, but generally I do that because people ask. In pop music it is very hard to get our schedules situated," she said.