PEOPLE
Kelly Clarkson
Happy Birthday, Kelly Clarkson! See the first 'American Idol' winner through the years
Erin Jensen
Since Kelly Clarkson earned the title of the first "American Idol" winner in 2002, the popstar's career has flourished, making it impossible for fans to "Breakaway." In honor of her 42st birthday on April 24, 2024, we look back on her path to stardom.
After being a coach on seasons 14-21, she returned for one more run on "The Voice" Season 23 in 2023.
Evans Vestal Ward, NBCAfter being a coach on seasons 14-21, she returned for one more run on "The Voice" Season 23 in 2023.
![Cuteness alert! Clarkson's date to the 2024 Grammys was her son, Remington Alexander, whom she shares with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock.](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/02/05/USAT/72475687007-xxx-2024-grammys-1-dm-3229.jpg?width=440&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Cuteness alert! Clarkson's date to the 2024 Grammys was her son, Remington Alexander, whom she shares with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY![Clarkson moved her daytime talk show, "The Kelly Clarkson Show," to New York for Season 5, which started airing in fall 2023. On the move, Clarkson told USA TODAY , "I knew I needed a fresh start and couldn’t be in LA. I really wanted to be in Montana, but you can’t really do a show from there quite yet. So I was like, ‘The only other option would probably be New York.'"](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/20/PDEM/73041994007-nup-203623-00717.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Clarkson moved her daytime talk show, "The Kelly Clarkson Show," to New York for Season 5, which started airing in fall 2023.
On the move, Clarkson told USA TODAY, "I knew I needed a fresh start and couldn’t be in LA. I really wanted to be in Montana, but you can’t really do a show from there quite yet. So I was like, ‘The only other option would probably be New York.'"
Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversalOn the move, Clarkson told USA TODAY, "I knew I needed a fresh start and couldn’t be in LA. I really wanted to be in Montana, but you can’t really do a show from there quite yet. So I was like, ‘The only other option would probably be New York.'"
![A long time coming: The "Stronger" songstress received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Sept. 19, 2022.](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/09/20/USAT/bb4783a1-9e89-4517-9e70-5f9e5fa0e1e3-GTY_1425293943.jpeg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
A long time coming: The "Stronger" songstress received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Sept. 19, 2022.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images![Her loved ones were in attendance for the milestone — here Clarkson poses with River Rose, left, and Remington.](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/09/20/USAT/8154a550-bad0-4345-97cb-35cfea2fba32-AP_Kelly_Clarkson_Honored_With_a_Star_on_the_Hollywood_Walk_of.jpg?width=469&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Her loved ones were in attendance for the milestone — here Clarkson poses with River Rose, left, and Remington.
Jordan Strauss, Jordan Strauss/Invision/APClarkson and fellow coaches Blake Shelton, Niall Horan and Chance pose together ahead of Gina Miles' win for Team Niall.
Trae Patton, NBC![Kelly Clarkson's 10th studio album, "Chemistry," which released in 2023, featured collaborations with Carly Rae Jepsen, Sheila E. and actor/musician Steve Martin.](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2023/06/20/USAT/c06e0149-0ef2-4fbd-8747-7449e78fceb3-Kelly_Clarkson_1.jpg?width=427&height=640&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Kelly Clarkson's 10th studio album, "Chemistry," which released in 2023, featured collaborations with Carly Rae Jepsen, Sheila E. and actor/musician Steve Martin.
Brian Bowen Smith![Kelly Clarkson attends NBC ' s " American Song Contest " Week 3 red carpet event on April 4, 2022.](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/04/05/USAT/14da17c6-231d-4ed1-8ad1-23a788998670-GTY_1389631492.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Kelly Clarkson attends NBC's "American Song Contest" Week 3 red carpet event on April 4, 2022.
Araya Doheny, Getty Images![Kelly Clarkson joins rap icon Snoop Dogg to host the Eurovision-inspired singing competition " American Song Contest, " which premiered March 21, 2022.](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/03/16/USAT/b0e43a13-3654-4e02-a16a-1660876dd7d6-NUP_196820_00001.jpg?width=528&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Kelly Clarkson joins rap icon Snoop Dogg to host the Eurovision-inspired singing competition "American Song Contest," which premiered March 21, 2022.
NBC, Chris Haston/Dave Bjerke/NBCIn March 2022, Clarkson performed "I Will Always Love You" during the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.comKelly Clarkson, center, poses with her co-judges from "The Voice" Season 20 — (left to right) Nick Jonas, Blake Shelton and John Legend — which aired from March-May 2021.
NBC, Art Streiber/NBCClarkson stunned in a black latex midi dress for the Hollywood Beauty Awards on Feb. 6, 2020 and rightly so because her stylist, Candice Lambert, won theStylist of the Year Award at the event.
Tibrina Hobson, Getty ImagesShe also presented the award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series during the Critics' Choice Awards on Jan. 12, 2020 in Santa Monica, Calif.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images For Critics ChoiceEarlier that month, she performed with a cowboy-hat-sporting Jason Aldean at the Academy Of Country Music Awards on April 7 in Las Vegas.
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesThough Clarkson is an "Idol" alum, she has found success as a coach on NBC's rival singing competition "The Voice." Here, she poses with Season 15 winner Chevel Shepherd from her team on Dec. 18, 2018.
Trae Patton/NBCBut Clarkson hasn't forgotten her "Idol" roots. On Aug. 22, 2018, she attended the ceremony honoring longtime judge Simon Cowell with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Rich Fury/Getty ImagesAt the Grammys in 2018, Clarkson planted a smooch on her husband, manager Brandon Blackstock. The two wed in Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tenn. in 2013.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYClarkson and comedian/actress Amy Schumer faced-off on "Celebrity Family Feud" in an episode that aired June 2017.
Eric McCandless/ABCOn March 1, 2015, Clarkson was all smiles while posing for USA TODAY, days from the release of her album "Piece by Piece."
Robert Deutsch/USA TODAYClarkson performed at the inauguration of President Barack Obama on Jan. 21, 2013.
SAUL LOEB, AFP/Getty ImagesAfter singing, Clarkson greeted the 44th president of the United States.
Robert Deutsch/USA TODAYMonths before revealing her engagement in December 2012, Clarkson cuddled up to then-boyfriend Blackstock at an event on May 31, 2012 in Whites Creek, Tenn.
Rick Diamond/Getty Images For Sony Music NashBackstage at the Academy Of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on April 1, 2012, Clarkson and McEntire posed with members of the rock band Kiss.
Rick Diamond/Getty Images For ACMClarkson had the honor of singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl in 2012.
Robert Deutsch/USA TODAYClarkson released her album "Stronger" in October 2011, after posing for USA TODAY on Oct. 12.
Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY![She was greeted by Pope Benedict XVI following her performance of " Ave Maria " during a rally in Yonkers, on April 19, 2008.](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/04/23/USAT/113f205d-a40a-4e90-9581-f7cbd1ed7ad2-XXX_mv041908rally96.jpg?width=625&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
She was greeted by Pope Benedict XVI following her performance of "Ave Maria" during a rally in Yonkers, on April 19, 2008.
Mark Vergari/The Journal News / LoHud.comShe showed off a pair of Grammys at the awards show in 2006. She won for best female pop vocal performance and best pop vocal album.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYClarkson smiled alongside "American Idol" winners Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino backstage at the show's Season 3 Grand Finale on May 26, 2004 in Hollywood.
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