Kelly Clarkson to fill Simon Cowell's judges chair on 'America's Got Talent' as he recovers from back surgery

By Megan Stone & Kelly McCarthy

As well wishes for a speedy recovery continue to pour in for Simon Cowell, he can rest easy knowing that the empty chair he leaves behind on "America's Got Talent" is in great hands.

Kelly Clarkson announced Monday that she will step in for Cowell while he recuperates by serving as a guest judge this Tuesday and Wednesday.

URGENT MEMO.... from yours truly! 😜 @AGT @SimonCowell #AGT pic.twitter.com/msAjXqxBB1

— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) August 10, 2020

"URGENT MEMO.... from yours truly," Clarkson alerted her 12.2 million followers on Twitter and posted the official announcement that she entitled "Some Changes..."

"My friend, Simon Cowell, is doing better now but was in an accident and won't be able to make Tuesday and Wednesday's live shows for AGT," Clarkson said. "But no worries America, someone far wiser, cooler, and hotter is taking his seat! The unbelievably amazing Kelly Clarkson."

As previously reported, Cowell broke part of his back in several places after crashing his e-bike on Sunday in front of his Malibu, California, home.

The impact missed his spinal chord by a centimeter, a source confirmed to ABC News, and after undergoing a five-hour surgery, Cowell now has a metal rod in his spine.

And a massive thank you to all the nurses and doctors. Some of the nicest people I have ever met.
Stay safe everyone
Simon.

— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) August 10, 2020

The media mogul remained in good humor over his injury, tweeting shortly after coming out of surgery, "Some good advice... If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time."

It has not been announced when Cowell will return to the show.

This isn't Clarkson's first rodeo in the judge's chair -- she's been discovering musical talent since 2018 on NBC's sister reality competition series "The Voice."

Moreover, she has several years of hosting duty experience under her belt thanks to her Emmy Award-winning daytime talk show "The Kelly Clarkson Show." She's also hosted the Billboard Music Awards for the past three consecutive years.

You can catch Clarkson, alongside fellow judges Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara -- plus host Terry Crews -- on "America's Got Talent" airing live this Tuesday and Wednesday starting at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.