Kelly Clarkson Becomes the First ‘American Idol’

Kelly Clarkson was our first. The daughter of a first-grade teacher from Burleson, Texas, she sang “At Last” during her tryout. Throughout the competition she was able to get away with singing “Respect,” “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman,” and “Walk on By” because even if she looked like the innocent cute girl next door, she sounded like an older, wiser woman with baggage and pain. “You’re one of the most natural, great singers I’ve heard in a long time,” Randy Jackson told her. “I truly, truly believe that you are going to be a huge star at the end of this show,” said Simon Cowell, uncharacteristically smitten. Before the competition was over he told her she was in the same league as Celine Dion and Mariah Carey. At the end it came down to her and Justin Guarini. It wasn’t even close. On Sept. 4, 2002, Clarkson won 58 percent of the vote and became the first American Idol, singing “A Moment Like This,” written just for the winner. “I can’t believe it’s happening to me,” she sang, realizing the resonance of the lyrics, squealing, and fanning her face almost as if she was waving away the impact of the moment so she could finish the song. “Some people wait a lifetime for a mom—” she stopped midword, swallowing the emotion. An estimated 50 million viewers watched Clarkson win that night, and in many ways no Idol contestant—not even Carrie Underwood or Taylor Hicks—has come close to her success. Sure, there was the movie From Justin to Kelly, but we’ll forgive her that.