AMERICAN IDOL - KELLY CLARKSON .THANKFUL. FOR COWELL.S CRITICISMS

AMERICAN IDOL winner KELLY CLARKSON is excited about releasing her debut LP THANKFUL - but it was nearly called something quite different.

The pretty singer, who rose to fame on the TV talent show, originally wanted to chose a cheeky title for her first release.

She explains, "I loved the title Pigeonhole This, but management was like, 'Some people might take that bad'.

"It's just so funny how people try and pigeonhole you into one thing, but my album might as well just say, Pigeonhole This, because you've got some rock, you've got some rock alternative type stuff, you've got a little hint of country, you've got soulful ballads and, you know, groove tracks"

And the Texan native is even thankful for acerbic Brit SIMON COWELL's criticisms on the hit show.

She adds, "I want to thank the judges mainly because I am so great with critics now. I'm nervous about my album coming out more for my fans - like, I'm hoping they like it - not for the critics, because I've had Simon every week telling me 'That was just awful', or, 'You could have done better.' So it rolls right off my back now."