As the victor of the first season of the singing competition television programme American Idol in 2002, Kelly Clarkson, an American singer-songwriter and actress, gained notoriety.
After that, she had a hugely lucrative pop career that included 91 hit songs that reached the top of the Billboard charts and record-breaking global sales of more than 20 million units.
Her musical endeavors have also earned Clarkson numerous awards and opportunities in television and movies. The different facets of Kelly Clarkson‘s life, including her work, personal life, and many more, will be covered in this page.
Quick Facts About Kelly Clarkson
| Full Name | Kelly Brianne Clarkson |
|---|---|
| Nick Name | Kelly Clarkson |
| D.O.B | April 24, 1982 |
| Gender | Female |
| Height | 5’3″ (160 cm) |
| Profession | American Singer, Songwriter, Author, and Television Personality |
Who is Kelly Clarkson?
She gained notoriety in 2002 when she won the inaugural season of American Idol and signed a record deal with RCA. Her first track, “A Moment Like This,” peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and ended up being the best-selling single in that nation in 2002.
It was a part of her first studio album, Thankful, which came out in 2003 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. For her second studio album, Breakaway, Clarkson left the management of American Idol in an effort to change her image (2004).
Breakaway sold more than 12 million copies worldwide and won two Grammy Awards. It was supported by four US top-ten singles, including the title tune, “Since U Been Gone,” “Behind These Hazel Eyes,” and “Because of You.”
Let’s Know About Her Life Before Fame
Jeanne Ann (née Rose), an English teacher of first grade, and Stephen Michael Clarkson, a former engineer, welcomed Kelly Brianne Clarkson into the world in Fort Worth, Texas. She has a sister named Alyssa and a brother named Jason; she is the youngest of three children. When she was six years old, her parents got divorced.
Clarkson attended Pauline Hughes Middle School for his education. Cynthia Glenn, the choir instructor at the school, overheard her singing in a hallway in the seventh grade and invited her to try out for the chorus. She never received any formal vocal training, according to Clarkson.
In 2000, Clarkson graduated from Burleson High School, where she appeared in a number of musicals including Brigadoon, Annie Get Your Gun, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. She performed in her high school talent event, and a spectator gave her some motivational advice when she finished: “You have this skill because of God. You have to sing. You were born to sing.”
After high school, Clarkson was given full scholarships to the University of Texas at Austin, University of North Texas, and Berklee College of Music. She turned them down, stating that “you’re never too old to go to college” and that she had already composed a lot of music.
Kelly Clarkson’s Career Journey
Kelly Clarkson graduated in 2000 and pursued music. After completing various jobs, she recorded a demo. She was so sure in her music career that she turned down contracts from Jive and Interscope. In 2001, she travelled to Los Angeles to find work and became an extra on ‘Sabrina, the Teenage Witch’ and ‘Dharma & Greg.’
She worked with lyricist Gerry Goffin and recorded five demos to win a record deal. Most US studios rejected her because her voice was ‘too black.’ After a fire, she went to Texas and became a telemarketing and waitress.
Kelly Clarkson‘s friends persuaded her to audition for ‘American Idol: The Search for a Superstar’ in May 2002. She gained a ‘golden ticket’ to the Hollywood rounds and won the first season on September 4, 2002. Her accomplishment on the show landed her a million-dollar record deal with RCA.
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She debuted with ‘Before Your Love’ and ‘A Moment Like This’ on September 17, 2002. Both singles rose a record 52 places to top the ‘Billboard Hot 100’ chart. Her 2003 debut album ‘Thankful’ received favorable reviews. The album’s lead track, ‘Miss Independent,’ was a top ten smash in the US.
With her second album ‘Breakaway,’ released November 30, 2004, she adopted a rock music style. The record outsold her debut and garnered her two ‘Grammys.’ On June 22, 2007, she released ‘My December,’ a darker album with a stronger rock feel.
Her producer and music magnate, Clive Davis, wanted her to record songs with broader appeal. While the album got good reviews, lack of advertising hurt sales. Clarkson, who began co-writing her songs on her third album, continues to do so on her next album, ‘All I Ever Wanted’ (March 10, 2009).
For this album, she rejected darker topics and cooperated with prominent singers, helping it debut at number one on the ‘Billboard 200’ She released Love So Soft and Move You in 2017. She lent her voice to the animated film ‘The star,’ based on the birth of Jesus, alongside Oprah Winfrey, Steven Yeun, and Tyler Perry.
She’s a coach on ‘The Voice’ The lead single from ‘Uglydolls: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack’ was released by Kelly on March 27, 2019.
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Personal Life
In 2013, Kelly Clarkson wed Brandon Blackstock, the son of her manager. River Rose Blackstock, their daughter, was born to her in 2014. Clarkson is a well-known philanthropist who has taken part in numerous benefit performances and supports numerous philanthropic causes.