Kelly Clarkson recalls how she 'freaked out' the first time she met Snoop Dogg after he called out her name at an awards show years ago

• Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dogg said that they first met at an awards show "years ago."
• Clarkson said that Snoop Dogg calling out her name at the event made her "feel good."

Kelly Clarkson said she "freaked out" the first time she met Snoop Dogg "years ago," despite the fact that they didn't even have a full conversation.

The duo are now the hosts of "American Song Contest," a Stateside spin on the popular "Eurovision" format that will see representatives of each US state and territory musically duking it out, song versus song. The show, which premieres Monday, will air for eight live episodes.

In an interview with Access Hollywood published Monday, Clarkson (who is no stranger to singing competition series) and Snoop Dogg recounted their first time meeting, which they said occurred at an awards show.

"We didn't actually talk. It was like us passing, because he said my name, and I was just like, 'What!'" Clarkson told Access.

"I called her name out, like, 'Kelly Clarkson!'" Snoop Dogg said. "'Kelly Clarkson, it's Snoop Dogg, what's happening? I fuck with you.'"

The singer and talk-show host said that Snoop Dogg's acknowledgment at the time made her "feel good" about herself, particularly given that it occurred "way in the beginning when no, everybody was not cool with me."

"I thought I was cool, because he knew who I was," Clarkson said.

In a press roundtable attended by Insider on March 14, Clarkson said that she was excited to cohost the show with Snoop, saying that while they may seem like an "odd couple," they collaborate well.

"While we are from, like, different areas, we both really love people succeeding," Clarkson told reporters. "We both really love watching people nail it. We both really love supporting other artists, and he's just fun to work with."

"So I know we might seem like the odd couple, but we get along well," she added.

"American Song Contest" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.