Kelly Clarkson FAME Is Not Enough

THE GRAMMY-WINNING SINGER AND TALK-SHOW HOST IS RECONSIDERING WHAT MAKES HER HAPPY

- By LOUISE A. BARILE

If you're ever on a New York City subway and spot a young mother who looks a little familiar, take a closer look. "Yeah, the subway's just faster! So, we're on it all the time," Kelly Clarkson, 42, confessed to AP recently. "I usually am in a mom bun, or a hat and I get away with it.

It's only when I speak - as soon as I open my mouth to speak is when people will go, 'What?' And then that's what gives me away." The upbeat, Grammy-winning singer and TV personality, whose daytime talker, The Kelly Clarkson Show, has earned 22 Emmys, has achieved fame and career highs she never dared to dream of when she became American Idol's inaugural winner at age 20. But these rewards have required personal sacrifice - and lately she's been wondering if she can continue at this pace.

In March, Kelly, the mom of daughter River Rose, 10, and son Remington, 8, missed nearly two weeks of shows due to a "personal matter" having to do with her family. There has also been talk that when Kelly's contract with the show, which she also executive produces, ends next year, she may not renew it. "She plans on fulfilling her obligation," an insider notes to Closer. "What she'll do when the actual contract is up seems to be the million-dollar question."

SINCE U BEEN GONE

The past six years have been a whirlwind and an emotional roller-coaster ride for the Texasborn and bred beauty. "We have laughed together, we have cried together," Kelly told her studio audience at the celebration of her show's 1,000th episode in March.