Kelly Clarkson Reveals She Never Got Part of Her ‘American Idol’ Prize

Kelly Clarkson recently called out American Idol for not giving her part of her prize for winning the show back in the first season. While talking to The Traitors winner Rob Rausch on her talk show, Clarkson recalled how angry she was not to receive the car she was promised.

Kelly Clarkson Calls Out American Idol Over Prize

During Clarkson’s interview with Rob Rausch on her talk show, Rausch revealed that he still hasn’t received the $220,800 in prize money for winning The Traitors. Clarkson told him, “I relate to this so hardcore.”

“They were like, ‘Oh, you win a million dollars,'” Clarkson recalled of her American Idol victory in 2002. “No, you didn’t. They lied. You did not. It was like a million dollars worth of investment in you.”

The singer went on to share that she was also supposed to receive a car as part of her prize, which she needed since her own car was “bashed in” and she “couldn’t afford the deductible.” However, she did not end up receiving a car when she won the show.

To make things worse, Clarkson said that Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken received cars for both him and his mom. She joked that she told Aiken she would “kick your ass” when he revealed that. She finished by telling Rausch of his prize money, “You might not see it.”

SEE ALSO: COULD PINK BE TAKING OVER KELLY CLARKSON’S TALK SHOW PERMANENTLY?

What Did Fans Think of Clarkson’s Revelation?

A user on X (formerly Twitter) posted a clip of Kelly Clarkson talking about not receiving a car, and fans had a lot to say about it. As one user wrote in response, “Wow, Fox owes her a LOT. The only reason American Idol was successful is because of her.”

“Omfg and he didn’t even win????” another user wrote of Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken. “Like she put that show on the map she IS American Idol.”

Another user wrote simply, “It sounds like FOX owes Kelly Clarkson a car.”

We’ll have to wait and see if the show responds to Clarkson’s complaints about not receiving part of her prize. In the meantime, the singer has moved on to NBC’s The Voice, where she’s currently a coach on Season 29.