EXCLUSIVE by Contactmusic.com correspondent Regina Ploigt in Germany

Pop star Kelly Clarkson has split from her boyfriend Graham Colton, because she doesn't have time for the singer/songwriter in her busy life.

The SINCE U BEEN GONE singer fell for Colton when his group, the GRAHAM COLTON BAND, were picked to support her on tour in America last year (05) and the couple were even talking about marriage at Christmas (05).

According to one of Clarkson's friends, the singer was hoping Colton would propose to her on her 24th birthday in April (06), but now the romance is over.

Clarkson tells the upcoming issue of German magazine BRAVO, "We're not together anymore. We felt that it makes no sense to be an item if you don't see each other. Day and night he's in the studio and I'm touring.

"He will always be one of my best friends. I'm not sad, really, because our relationship made me believe in love again."

And the singer insists she hasn't ruled out dating Colton again in the future: "Graham is the coolest guy I've ever been with. Maybe one day we'll get back together - if we don't have to work so much anymore.

"Graham showed me that there still are cool guys out there and that not every nice guy is attached. I think that God brought us together to heal our hearts.

"When we met, we both had a huge crush on each other. But we were afraid of falling in love and getting hurt. Now we both aren't afraid of love anymore. We both have a new best friend that we didn't have before. So, everything's great.