American singer who rose to fame
on the U.S. television program
American Idol.
Biography
Born in the town of
Burleson, Texas, Kelly Clarkson
as a child aspired to be a
marine biologist before the
movie
Jaws dissuaded her. In
middle school, Clarkson was
overheard singing in a school
corridor by a teacher who invited
her to join the school choir. Her
participation in choral and musical
activities spurred her interested in
a recording career, and, following
her high school graduation, Kelly
relocated to
Los Angeles, California.
Kelly landed a job as a
television extra in Los Angeles and
worked briefly with songwriter Gerry Goffin. However, after her L.A.
apartment burned down, she moved
back to Texas, discouraged, but
still intent on a career in
showbusiness.
Kelly managed some odd jobs
before her run on
American Idol. In 2002,
along with 10,000 others, Clarkson
auditioned for the aforementioned
television show,
American Idol. Impressed by
her voice and personality, the panel
of judges put her through to the
next round. Upon landing a final 30
spot, Kelly garnered praise from the
judges with her rendition of
Aretha Franklin's "Respect."
Kelly moved on to the final 12, receiving
a #2 spot in her group of 10. On
September 4,
2002 Clarkson won the
competition, earning 58% of the
audience vote in the final contest
against
Justin Guarini. Kelly was the only
contestant to have never landed in
the bottom three. As the crowned
American Idol, Clarkson
performed a heartfelt and tearful "A
Moment Like This" as confetti fell,
her fellow contestants hugged her,
and many watched in the Kodak
Theatre and in their households.
Kelly's first single set an
American record, rising on
October 5th,
2002 from No. 52 to No. 1 on the
Billboard charts (a record
previously held by
The Beatles' "Can't Buy Me
Love"). Her first full-length album,
Thankful, was released on
April 15,
2003.
Kelly Clarkson starred with
fellow American Idol
contestant
Justin Guarini in the 2003 box
office flop
From Justin to Kelly.
