Clarkson calls Nettles the one to beat o...

Clarkson calls Nettles the one to beat o...

Kelly Clarkson (l.) and Jordan Meredith on 'Duets'

TV's latest singing competion, ABCs Duets, doesnt air until Thursday night at 8, and one of the four star contestants, Kelly Clarkson, says she already knows who she has to beat.

Jennifer Nettles, says Clarkson. She may be a little less well known, but thats because people dont realize how great she is.

Nettles, Clarkson and the two other stars, John Legend and Robin Thicke, are tackling a new competition show twist with Duets.

They have each picked two amateur singers to join them in singing duets thus the name of the show and from those eight partnerships will come one winner.

The winning amateur partner will get a contract with Hollywood Records. For viewers, though, the competition among the stars will be equally intriguing.

Clarkson, the winner of the first American Idol, knows competition shows, and says this one will take a positive approach.

Our advice will be constructive, she says. Were not looking to tear anybody down. Ive been there on the other side and I know how it feels.

Clarkson says the hardest task for her in selecting two partners was finding people who had the skill and the will to harmonize.

There are a lot of great singers, but you have to find someone whose voice will blend with yours, she says. The voices have to sound right together.

You could take everyone who has won Idol or The Voice and youd find maybe three who could harmonize. Its an art to know when to shine and when to pull back.

Clarksons candidates are Jason Farol, 25, from California, and Jordan Meredith, 21, from Wisconsin.

Nettles has John Glosson, 32, from Georgia, and J Rome, 25, from Maryland.

Thicke has Olivia Chisholm, 21, from North Carolina, and Alexis Foster, 21, from Nashville.

And Legend has Bridget Carrington, 34, from Virginia, and Johnny Gray, 37, of Washington.

Legend got kind of a late start. Lionel Richie was originally the fourth star, but he pulled out two weeks before production started, citing scheduling conflicts after his most recent country album became an unexpected smash.

We were disappointed, says executive producer Robert Deaton. But we understood, and we took it as an opportunity. John went to a couple of auditions and looked at about 300 submissions on YouTube. It all worked out.

I loved working with Lionel, says Clarkson. John just brings different things. At the end of the day, this worked out best for Lionel and for the show.

And by the way, she says Legend and Thicke agree with her about Nettles.

I think if you asked either of them, theyd say shes the dark horse. She did a great job getting people to sing with her.I think shes the one were all eying.