We Met Kelly Clarkson 23 Years Ago on ‘American Idol’ — Here’s What She’s Accomplished
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It’s been 23 years since Kelly Clarkson was introduced to the world on American Idol Season 1. Clarkson would go on to win the show and embark on an impressive music career. Let’s take a look back at everything she’s accomplished in that time.
Kelly Clarkson Was the First American Idol Winner
Season 1 of American Idol premiered on July 11, 2002. A standout contestant from the season was Kelly Clarkson, who would go on to win the entire competition. Clarkson was just 20 years old at the time. In 2022, the singer marked the 20th anniversary of her win, writing that it “forever changed the course of my life.”
Clarkson’s debut single was the empowering anthem “A Moment Like This.” In 2003, she released her debut album, titled Thankful. The project, which entered the Billboard 200 in first place, featured songs such as “The Trouble with Love Is” and “Miss Independent.”
She also dipped her toe into the acting world alongside Idol runner-up Justin Guarini in the 2003 movie From Justin to Kelly, which was unfortunately panned by critics. Then in 2004, Clarkson released her second studio album, Breakaway, featuring songs such as “Since U Been Gone” and “Behind These Hazel Eyes.”
Clarkson has released several more albums over the years, including 2009’s All I Ever Wanted and 2017’s Meaning of Life. She’s also released two Christmas projects — Wrapped in Red and When Christmas Comes Around. Clarkson’s most recent album, Chemistry, was released in 2023.
Throughout her career, Clarkson has been nominated for 17 Grammy Awards and won three. Most recently, she was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album for Chemistry. The singer has also headlined a number of tours, as well as a Las Vegas residency. She’s returning to Las Vegas for a series of performances called “Studio Sessions” later this year.
SEE ALSO: KELLY CLARKSON IS RETURNING TO LAS VEGAS FOR A NEW RESIDENCY
Clarkson Has Branched Out Beyond Music
Clarkson will always be known for her incredible vocal talent, but she’s also branched out to other areas of the entertainment world. Her talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, premiered in 2019 and has earned a whopping 22 Daytime Emmy Awards — including four for Clarkson’s hosting. Originally filmed in Los Angeles, the show’s production is now based in New York City.
In 2016, Clarkson signed a book deal with HarperCollins. She released two children’s books inspired by her daughter, titled River Rose and the Magical Lullaby and River Rose and the Magical Christmas. The singer also has a son, Remington, whom she shares with her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock.
Clarkson joined The Voice as a coach in 2018, alongside Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, and Alicia Keys. She appeared on nine seasons of the NBC competition series, with four wins under her belt — the most for any female coach in the show’s history. Her final season on the show was in 2023.
Earlier this year, Clarkson announced that she had launched her own record label and planned to release her new music independently. Then in May, she premiered her newest single, “Where Have You Been.”
