Kelly Brianne Clarkson (born April 24, 1982) was a contestant on Season 1 of American Idol.
Audition[]
Although not originally televised, Kelly auditioned in Dallas. She sang "At Last" by Etta James. All three judges voted "yes", sending her to the next round.
Hollywood Round[]
She sang Vanessa Williams's "Save The Best For Last". She did enough to make it to the Top 30.
Top 30[]
Kelly sang "Respect" by Aretha Franklin. She received enough votes to make the Top 10.
Top 10[]
Kelly sang "You're All I Need to Get By" by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell. She received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.
Top 8[]
Kelly sang "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin. She receive enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.
Top 7[]
Kelly sang "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)" by Ben E. King/Aretha Franklin. She received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.
Top 6[]
Kelly sang "Stuff Like That There" by Betty Hutton/Bette Midler. She received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.
Top 5[]
Kelly sang "Walk on By" by Dionne Warwick. She received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.
Top 4[]
Kelly sang "It's Raining Men" by The Weather Girls and "I Surrender" by Céline Dion. She received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.
Top 3[]
Kelly sang "Think Twice" by Céline Dion and "Without You" by Badfinger/Mariah Carey. She received enough votes to advance to the finale.
Season 1 Finale[]
Kelly sang "A Moment Like This", "Respect" by Aretha Franklin (as her reprise), and "Before Your Love". She received more votes than Justin Guarini and became the first ever American Idol winner.
Performances in American Idol[]
| Round | Song Choice | Original Artist | Theme (if any) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audition | "At Last" | Etta James | None | Advanced |
| Hollywood Round | "Respect" | Aretha Franklin | None | Safe |
| Hollywood Round | "I Say a Little Prayer" | Dionne Warwick | None | Safe |
| Hollywood Round | "Save The Best For Last" | Vanessa Williams | None | Safe |
| Top 30 | "Respect" | Aretha Franklin | None | Safe |
| Top 10 | "You're All I Need to Get By" | Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell | Motown | Safe |
| Top 8 | "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" | Aretha Franklin | 1960s | Safe |
| Top 7 | "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)" | Aretha Franklin | 1970s | Safe |
| Top 6 | "Stuff Like That There" | Betty Hutton | Big Band | Safe |
| Top 5 | "Walk on By" | Dionne Warwick | Burt Bacharach Love Songs | Safe |
| Top 4 | "It's Raining Men" "I Surrender" |
Weather Girls Celine Dion |
1980s/1990s | Safe |
| Top 3 | "Think Twice" "Without You" |
Céline Dion Badfinger |
Contestant's Choice/Judge's Choice | Safe |
| Top 2 | "Respect" "Before Your Love" "A Moment Like This" |
Aretha Franklin Kelly Clarkson Kelly Clarkson |
None | Safe |
| Finale | "A Moment Like This" | Kelly Clarkson | Winner's single | Winner |
Trivia[]
- She is the first American Idol winner whose audition was untelevised in the original telecast.
- In 2019, Clarkson launched her own syndicated daytime talk show titled The Kelly Clarkson Show.
| Season 1 |
| Finalists |
| ·Kelly Clarkson ·Justin Guarini ·Nikki McKibbin ·Tamyra Gray ·R.J. Helton ·Christina Christian ·Ryan Starr ·A.J. Gil ·Jim Verraros ·EJay Day |
| Semifinalists |
| ·Christopher Aaron ·Kelli Glover ·Alexis Lopez ·Angela Peel — ·Alexandra Bachelier ·Chris Badano ·Natalie Burge ·Khaleef Chiles ·Rodesia Eaves ·Brad Estrin ·Adriel Herrera ·Kristin Holt ·Jamar ·Jazmin Lowery ·Tanesha Ross ·Melanie Sanders ·Mark Scott ·Gil Sinuet ·Tenia Taylor ·Justinn Waddell – ·Delano Cagnolatti |