‘It forever changed the course of my life’: Kelly Clarkson looks back on iconic American Idol win 20 years on

Posted by

Boss on Sep 05, 2022 - 09:33AM

Kelly Clarkson won American Idol in 2002 (Picture: Kevin Winter/ImageDirect)

Kelly Clarkson has reflected on her American Idol win 20 years on from the day that ‘changed the course of her life’.

The Stronger hitmaker shot to fame when she won the talent show in 2002 with a sensational and historic performance of A Moment Like This, which then shot to number one as her debut single.

having released nine studio albums, and hosting her own chat show.

Reflecting on her incredible win, Kelly wrote: ’20 years ago today I won American Idol and it forever changed the course of my life.

‘That moment was the door that opened up so much access and opportunity, and creative partnerships that I will be grateful for all my days. The family and friendships I have created over these 20 years in music and TV are priceless to me.

‘We only get so many trips around the sun and while I am proud and feel abundantly blessed of the successes and failures that I have learned from, I am most proud and grateful for these friends that have become my family, and for their arms that have held me when I needed it and their hearts that listened to me when I felt lost. Without them I would not be where I am. I would probably not be here at all.

‘Thank you so much to every single person that voted 20 years ago! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I hope all of you have people in your lives that fill you with laughter, and hope, and happiness, and if you don’t feel like you have that, then keep searching because I promise you they’re looking for you too.’

Kelly shared a heartfelt statement (Picture: Twitter/Kelly Clarkson)

20 years on, Kelly is still smashing it (Picture: Chris Haston/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Fans and friends have also looked back on Kelly’s win, with one writing: ‘I was 9 years old and called in to vote for you every week!!! I had to sneak downstairs to use the phone?.’

‘BEYOND THE BEST! ?,’ another added, while one more said: ‘I voted for you 20 years ago!!! ❤️.’

The American Idol finale in 2002 was watched by more than 22million people, with Kelly receiving 58% of the vote against Justin Guarini.

She shot to the top of the charts with A Moment Like This, and also broke the record for the biggest ever jump to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with 2009’s My Life Would Suck Without You.

A decade into her career, she released her biggest-selling single, Stronger, which shot to number one in the UK and the US, and she now has three Grammys and a whopping 15 nominations to her name.

In 2019, she launched her own talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show, which has so far won 13 Daytime Emmys.

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