The show American Idol was a nationwide obsession, and it didn’t take too long to become a global phenomenon soon after the first season. Other countries began rolling out their own versions of the singing-based talent competition, all across the globe.

Perhaps the show had so much success because of the amount of talent its first winner had. That winner was Kelly Clarkson, whose ability to belt out notes perfectly on key had even Simon Cowell wide-eyed and amazed. But, that was all the way back in 2002, and the star has come a long way since then.

Kelly From Texas

Kelly hails from Fort Worth, TX. She got her start singing in her school choir. With the encouragement of her parents, she moved to LA to pursue her singing career - once she’d finished her senior year. Living in LA and trying to get noticed is rough, but Kelly knew she hit something when she got an audition, and then a callback for American Idol. Little did she know that audition, which had 10,000 other applicants, would change her life forever.

Our Lives Would Suck Without Her

When she won American Idol, the prize was a 1 million dollar contract with RCA recording label, which she took full advantage of. She put out the single “A Moment Like This,” which reached the #1 spot on the pop charts. With that success fueling her, she made the album Thankful, which gave us the hit song “Miss Independent.”

Her next album, Breakaway, was arguably her most successful. It won her two Grammy Awards, which we’re sure she displays right next to her American Idol Trophy. Her next albums, My December, and All I Ever Wanted didn’t earn her any Grammys, but they got plenty of play, sales, and appreciation from her fans. And, she continues to put out successful album after album, every two or three years. It’s something her fans can count on. Well that, and the jaw-dropping performance she gives when doing her live show in Vegas.