Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson's first single debuted at number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. The following week it rose to number 52. Then it shot to number one, breaking a record for the biggest leap to the top that The Beatles had held for 38 years.
Clarkson went on to sell more than 82 million records worldwide. She won three Grammy Awards. She also became the first act to top Billboard's pop, adult contemporary, country and dance airplay charts. Along the way she found time to host her own daytime talk show.
Yet the road from a Texas hallway to those charts was full of friction. How did she outlast the television contest that launched her? Why did she argue so openly with the people who backed her? And what is it about her voice that critics keep trying to describe?
Kelly Brianne Clarkson was born on the 24th of April 1982 in Fort Worth, Texas. Her mother, Jeanne Ann, taught first-grade English. Her father, Stephen Michael Clarkson, was a former engineer. She had an older brother, Jason, and an older sister, Alyssa, plus two younger half-brothers from her father's second marriage.
When Clarkson was six, her parents divorced. Jason moved in with their father, Alyssa went to live with an aunt, and Kelly stayed with her mother. Her mother later married Jimmy Taylor.
At age eight, Clarkson visited an African-American church in Fort Worth and felt her first real pull toward music. She remembered thinking, "Wow, whatever they're feeling, I want to feel it too." Her own upbringing was Southern Baptist. She has described a highly conservative family, with church on Sunday and Wednesday, and she led her youth group.
Her stepfather loved Willie Nelson and Elvis. Her father preferred Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Aretha Franklin. Her mother favored adult contemporary artists such as Celine Dion and Bette Midler. Her brother, roughly ten years older, introduced her to Guns N' Roses and Metallica.
In the seventh grade at Pauline Hughes Middle School in Burleson, Texas, a choir teacher named Cynthia Glenn overheard Clarkson singing in a hallway. Glenn asked her to audition for the school choir. Clarkson explained that she had never had professional vocal training. She graduated from Burleson High School in 2000 after performing in musicals such as Annie Get Your Gun, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Brigadoon.
Clarkson then turned down full scholarships to the University of Texas at Austin, the University of North Texas and Berklee College of Music. She had already written a lot of music and wanted to try things on her own. She worked several jobs to pay for a demo, but record labels barely responded.
Two companies did offer contracts, Jive Records and Interscope Records. Clarkson refused both, saying they would have pigeonholed her as a bubblegum act. In 2001 she traveled to Los Angeles. She appeared as an extra on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and Dharma & Greg, and she recorded five demo tracks with the musician Gerry Goffin.
Still, almost every American label passed on her. By her account, they said she sounded "too black." A fire in her apartment and a shortage of other opportunities sent her back to Burleson, where she took on a series of different jobs.
In May 2002, friends in Burleson urged Clarkson to audition for the first season of American Idol: The Search for a Superstar. She received a "golden ticket," a pass to the Hollywood rounds, in the series premiere. Her own first appearance on screen came in the second episode.
Looking back in a 2012 interview, Clarkson called that first season "ghetto." She said the contestants were like kids in camp, and nobody knew what to do because the show changed every day. She also recalled the clothing problem. "They dropped us off in a mall and said 'find some clothes to wear on national television'," she said, adding, "I definitely looked like a cocktail waitress."
Aretha Franklin supplied many of Clarkson's song choices on the show. Her version of "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" is considered her breakout moment in the competition. Franklin was her major influence, and she also cited Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Etta James and Stevie Wonder. Otis Redding's "Respect" was another favorite, and she sang it in both the semifinal and the finale.
On the 4th of September 2002, Clarkson won the competition at the Kodak Theatre, now called the Dolby Theatre. She took 58 percent of the votes against runner-up Justin Guarini.
Simon Fuller, who created American Idol, and the music mogul Clive Davis moved quickly. Clarkson was signed to RCA Records, 19 Recordings and S Records, with Davis slated to executive-produce her debut album. On the 17th of September 2002, her double-A-side single "Before Your Love" and "A Moment Like This" was released. She had performed both songs in the season finale. The single became the best-selling single of 2002 in the United States.
Clarkson's debut album, Thankful, reached stores on the 15th of April 2003. It mixed pop, contemporary R&B and gospel, with writers and producers such as Rhett Lawrence, Diane Warren, The Underdogs and Babyface. It entered the Billboard 200 at number one and sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide. Critics praised her ease with a song. One said she could croon, belt and be sassy while staying graceful, and another said she glided through octaves like someone who had been singing for decades.
Its lead single, "Miss Independent," reached the top ten in five national charts, including the United States. It earned her first Grammy nomination, for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 46th Grammy Awards. A later single, "The Trouble with Love Is," landed on the soundtrack of the British romantic film Love Actually.
Not every project that year was her choice. In June 2003 she made her film debut with Guarini in the musical romantic comedy From Justin to Kelly. Critics disliked it and it failed at the box office. Clarkson said she was "contractually obligated" to make it and didn't like it.
On Christmas Day 2003, another obligation took her to London for the television special World Idol. She competed against the first winners of Idol series from around the world. She finished as runner-up with 97 points, behind Kurt Nilsen, the first Norwegian Idol.
Wanting distance from her Idol image, Clarkson left Fuller and 19 Management. She hired Jeff Kwatinetz of The Firm. Her second album, Breakaway, moved toward a more rock-oriented sound. Davis served as executive producer, and Clarkson co-wrote six tracks with writers including the former Evanescence members Ben Moody and David Hodges, Kara DioGuardi, Dr. Luke and Max Martin.
Breakaway was released on the 30th of November 2004 and became her biggest seller. It debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and, thanks to its staying power, ended up the third-best-selling album of 2005 in the United States. The RIAA certified it sextuple platinum. Worldwide it sold more than twelve million copies, topped the charts in the Netherlands and Ireland, and ranked as the seventh-best-selling album of 2005.
Five singles carried the album. "Since U Been Gone" peaked at number two and remains her most successful single on the Hot 100. "Because of You" became her biggest hit worldwide, reaching number one on the European Hot 100 Singles chart and in Brazil, the Netherlands, Denmark and Switzerland.
The title track first appeared in July 2004 on the soundtrack of the Disney film The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. When it was re-released in May 2006, it spent 21 weeks atop Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart and 28 weeks atop the Adult Contemporary Audience chart, her longest runs at number one.
At the 48th Grammy Awards, Breakaway won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Since U Been Gone" and Best Pop Vocal Album. She also won Best Female Video at the MTV Video Music Awards two years in a row. Billboard named her Top Female Artist of 2005, and Mediabase called her the most-played artist of 2006 in the United States. Davis, the executive producer of this triumph, would soon be at the center of her biggest dispute.
On the 22nd of June 2007, Clarkson released My December, an album built on darker themes and heavier rock. She replaced Davis as executive producer, co-wrote every track and chose to work with her band members instead of her earlier collaborators. Davis objected to the lack of professional production input. He wanted tracks re-recorded with more mainstream appeal, and she refused.
Clarkson defended herself bluntly. She said, "I've sold more than 15 million records worldwide, and still nobody listens to what I have to say. I couldn't give a crap about being a star. I've always just wanted to sing and write." RCA was reluctant to promote the record. Clarkson dismissed Kwatinetz, and Live Nation cancelled the My December Tour, then rescheduled it on a smaller scale with Jon McLaughlin, Sean Kingston and Mandy Moore.
She hired Narvel Blackstock of Starstruck Management as her new manager. He was married to the country star Reba McEntire, a close friend of Clarkson. She later apologized to Davis and called him "a key advisor" in her success. My December debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and went on to sell over 2.5 million copies worldwide. Its one major hit, "Never Again," debuted and peaked at number eight, her highest debut on the Hot 100 at the time.
On the 6th of March 2009, All I Ever Wanted marked a return to mainstream pop. Clarkson reunited with Dr. Luke, Max Martin and Kara DioGuardi. The lead single, "My Life Would Suck Without You," entered the Hot 100 at number 97 and rose to number one the next week. That broke the record for the biggest one-week jump to the top, previously held by Britney Spears' "Womanizer."
Another clash followed over "Already Gone." Clarkson noticed its similarities to Beyonce's song "Halo," and both were produced by Ryan Tedder. She disputed its release with RCA. Promotion for the album ended abruptly after its last two singles, "All I Ever Wanted" and "Cry," had limited success.
In 2013, Clarkson published an open letter answering Davis's memoir, The Soundtrack of My Life. Davis had written that she cried hysterically in his office after being pressured to record "Since U Been Gone." Clarkson said her tears came from remarks about her songwriting on "Because of You." She said he criticized its lyrics for not rhyming and suggested she should just shut up and sing.
In 2017 she revealed a quieter protest. She had refused a songwriting credit on "My Life Would Suck Without You" because her label had forced her to work with Dr. Luke after she said she had not enjoyed working with him before. She says she is against recording artists taking credit from professional songwriters. She has suggested the decision may have cost her millions of dollars in royalties.
On the 22nd of February 2007, Nashville's Ryman Auditorium hosted an hour-long CMT Crossroads special pairing Clarkson with Reba McEntire. Dolly Parton introduced them. Clarkson also appeared on an episode of McEntire's sitcom Reba, which aired on the 14th of January 2007. At the Academy of Country Music Awards on the 16th of May 2007, the two sang a country version of "Because of You."
That duet became the lead single from the album Reba: Duets. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. Throughout 2008, the pair toured together on the 2 Worlds 2 Voices Tour.
Jason Aldean's 2010 album My Kinda Party included a duet with Clarkson, "Don't You Wanna Stay." It became her first number-one song on the Hot Country Songs chart. It has sold over 2.7 million copies, making it the best-selling country collaboration in history.
Her fifth studio album, Stronger, arrived on the 21st of October 2011 with a slight country vibe and influences from Prince, Tina Turner, Sheryl Crow and Radiohead. It debuted at number two and won Best Pop Vocal Album at the 2013 Grammy Awards, making her the first artist to win that award twice. The song "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" topped sixteen Billboard charts and became her third number one on the Hot 100. It remains her best-selling single, with 4.9 million copies sold in the United States alone.
On the 5th of February 2012, Clarkson sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XLVI to widespread critical acclaim. In January 2013 she performed "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" at the second inauguration of President Barack Obama. Critics praised her live rendition and contrasted it with Beyonce's pre-recorded performance at the same event.
Clarkson's sixth studio album, Wrapped in Red, was released on the 25th of October 2013 and was her first Christmas record. Greg Kurstin produced the whole album. She co-wrote all five original songs and recorded eleven covers of Christmas standards and carols. It reached number three on the Billboard 200 and became the best-selling holiday album of the year.
Its lead single, "Underneath the Tree," reached number one on the adult contemporary chart in both the United States and Canada. The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers later named it the most popular Christmas song released in the 21st century. A Christmas special on the 11th of December 2013, Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale, drew over 5.3 million viewers. Her second Christmas album, When Christmas Comes Around..., followed in 2021 and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.
Arion Berger of Rolling Stone wrote that Clarkson's high notes are "sweet and pillowy" and her growl is "bone-shaking and sexy." Jon Caramanica of The New York Times saw a live show in which her voice moved in all sorts of ways without appearing to strain. Reviewing Stronger, though, he found it "too huge, too violent" for warmer and sweeter styles. He compared her to Taylor Swift in vengeance, only louder.
Dr. Luke, who produced some of her hits, said she had powerful lungs and called her "the Lance Armstrong of vocal cords." Simon Cowell was asked which of the six American Idol winners then had the best voice. He answered Clarkson "by a mile" and placed her alongside Celine Dion. In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked her number 194 on its list of the 200 best singers of all time.
Clarkson says she has never lip-synced. She admits to an "unhealthy fear" that the track would skip. She has earned the title "Queen of Covers" for her range, and her Kellyoke segment on her talk show has featured Metallica's "Sad but True" and Heart's "Crazy on You." In 2006 she said she did not see herself as a pop singer, adding, "Rock is what I love."
As a songwriter, Clarkson calls herself "an emotional writer." She cannot write without a personal connection to the material and treats songwriting as an outlet. She prefers privacy and does not write in the same room as other artists. She considers "Miss Independent" the song that first established her as a songwriter. After her marriage ended, she began performing a revised "Piece by Piece" that swapped lines about her ex-husband for lyrics about self-empowerment.
The journalist Nekesa Mumbi Moody wrote in 2007 that Breakaway was the true turning point for American Idol's credibility. It proved the show could find someone with a career of longevity. Cowell made the same point: "She's not a girl who got lucky in a talent competition; we got lucky to find her."
George Varga of The San Diego Union-Tribune noted that Clarkson wrote or co-wrote a fair number of her own songs. He added that she was the only contestant who fired her management team and fought a prolonged public battle with her record company to break the Idol mold. Artists she has influenced include Demi Lovato, Ava Max and Kelsea Ballerini.
In February 2012, Clarkson began dating the talent manager Brandon Blackstock. He was the son of her former manager Narvel Blackstock and the former stepson of Reba McEntire, and he was married to another woman at the time. The couple married on the 20th of October 2013 at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee. Brandon managed her during the marriage. They had a daughter, born on the 12th of June 2014, and a son, born on the 12th of April 2016.
Clarkson filed for divorce in June 2020, citing irreconcilable differences, and it was reported finalized in March 2022. On the 21st of November 2023, she was awarded more than $2.6 million from Blackstock for commissions paid to him on business deals he procured as her manager. The California Labor Commissioner ruled that he violated the state's Talent Agencies Act. Blackstock died of melanoma on the 7th of August 2025, aged 48.
In October 2019, Clarkson said she had been managing an autoimmune condition and a thyroid condition since 2006. In February 2022, she changed her legal name to Kelly Brianne, citing a strained relationship with her late father. Her professional name did not change.
Outside music, Clarkson has served as an ambassador for the March of Dimes since her time on American Idol. She also got involved with Houses of Hope, which builds orphanages for children in South Africa. She wrote a song, "You Still Won't Know What It's Like," after visiting those children. She once kept a Texas ranch for unwanted animals, including amputee goats and blind dogs, and it housed more than 80 animals.
Her recording career changed shape as well. Piece by Piece, released in February 2015, was her last album under her RCA contract. In June 2016 she announced a long-term worldwide deal with Atlantic Records. Meaning of Life debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 in October 2017, selling 79,000 album-equivalent units. Chemistry, released on the 23rd of June 2023, became her final release on a major label.
In January 2025, Clarkson revealed on her talk show that she had launched her own record label to release music independently for the first time. Her new single, "Where Have You Been," premiered exclusively on her Sirius XM channel on the 1st of May 2025, one day before its worldwide release.
Television became her second stage. She joined The Voice as a coach for its fourteenth season, and Brynn Cartelli's win gave her a first victory. Chevel Shepherd's win the next season made her the first female coach to win multiple seasons. Jake Hoot and Girl Named Tom followed, and Girl Named Tom became the first group act to win an American season.
The Kelly Clarkson Show premiered on the 9th of September 2019. In May 2020 it earned seven Emmy nominations, the most for any talk show, and Clarkson won Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host. NBC announced in May 2021 that the show would take over the time slot of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. In October 2023 she moved production from Los Angeles to New York City, and on the 8th of November 2023 she launched her Sirius XM channel, Kelly Clarkson Connection.
On the 2nd of February 2026, Clarkson announced that she would end her talk show when its current season finished. Then on the 7th of May 2026, it was announced that she would return as a coach for the 30th season of The Voice.
Up next
Continue browsing
Updated
Common questions
Who is Kelly Clarkson?
Kelly Clarkson is an American singer, songwriter and television personality who was born on the 24th of April 1982 in Fort Worth, Texas. She rose to fame by winning the first season of American Idol.
When did Kelly Clarkson win American Idol?
Kelly Clarkson won American Idol on the 4th of September 2002 at the Kodak Theatre, now the Dolby Theatre. She earned 58 percent of the votes against runner-up Justin Guarini.
What was Kelly Clarkson's most successful album?
Breakaway, released on the 30th of November 2004, is Kelly Clarkson's most commercially successful album. It sold more than twelve million copies worldwide and produced the singles "Since U Been Gone" and "Because of You".
Why did Kelly Clarkson clash with her record label RCA?
Kelly Clarkson clashed with RCA and Clive Davis over My December in 2007, which she co-wrote and produced herself. Davis wanted tracks re-recorded with more mainstream appeal, and she refused. She later had another dispute with RCA over "Already Gone".
How many awards has Kelly Clarkson won?
Kelly Clarkson has won three Grammy Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, four American Music Awards and eight Daytime Emmy Awards. She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Is Kelly Clarkson a coach on The Voice?
Yes, Kelly Clarkson became a coach on The Voice for its fourteenth season. She has the most winning contestants of any female coach in the show's history, with four. On the 7th of May 2026, she was announced to return for the 30th season.
Did Kelly Clarkson start her own record label?
Yes, Kelly Clarkson revealed in January 2025 that she had launched her own record label. It is the first time she has released her own music independently.
All sources
272 references cited across the entry
- 2Kelly Clarkson sets the record straight on name change to Kelly BrianneSuzy Byrne — Yahoo! — March 22, 2022
- 3Kelly Clarkson BiographyHeather Phares — AllMusic
- 4MagazineKelly Clarkson's Walk of Fame induction was an American Idol reunionLester Fabian Brathwaite — September 19, 2022
- 5NewsKelly Clarkson BiographyFox News — August 1, 2007
- 6MagazineKelly Clarkson Opens Up About Why She Doesn't Have a Relationship With Her DadTaysha Murtaugh — May 8, 2018
- 7NewsJessica Lowndes celebrates her 22nd birthday in Las VegasRobin Leach — November 15, 2010
- 8Little Known Facts About Kelly ClarksonKassidy Emmerson — Yahoo! — July 9, 2007
- 9Stated on Who Do You Think You Are?, July 23, 2012
- 10NewsSinger Kelly Clarkson visits the areaSam Shawver
- 11NewsKelly Clarkson sings Ave MariaAugust 19, 2008
- 12MagazineListening in ... R.J. Helton & Kelly ClarksonMay 28, 2004
- 13MagazineKelly Clarkson on the soundtrack of her lifeHenry Goldblatt — August 31, 2011
- 14Kelly Clarkson BiographyTime Inc.
- 16MagazineSingle MindedAlanna Nash
- 17MagazineFive Questions with Kelly ClarksonJune 25, 2007
- 19NewsKelly Clarkson: 'I've had to cry in record label offices to get my singles released'Caroline Sullivan — March 4, 2015
- 20Kelly Clarkson BiographyYahoo! Music
- 21Kelly Clarkson Profile – Biography of Pop Star Kelly ClarksonBill Lamb — Dotdash Meredith
- 22MagazineKelly Clarkson Talks Football, 'Entitled' 'American Idol' Contestants and New Judge Mariah CareyMichele Amabile Angermiller — August 14, 2012
- 23NewsKelly Clarkson Crowned 'American Idol'MTV News
- 24NewsKelly Clarkson: BreakawayRome Neal — August 16, 2004
- 25NewsChart Watch Extra: 20 Years Of Top SongsPaul Green — Yahoo Music — May 6, 2011
- 26VideoAmerican Idol: The Search for a SuperstarFremantle Media — 2002
- 27Kelly Clarkson's New CD 'Idol'-izeSilverman, Stephen — Time Inc. — April 23, 2003
- 28MagazineMusic Review – Thankful – Kelly ClarksonGoldblatt, Henry — Time Inc. — April 25, 2003
- 29Thankful — Kelly Clarkson : ReviewErlewine — Rovi Corporation
- 30RIAA — Searchable Database: Clarkson, KellyRecording Industry Association of America
- 31Magazine2003 The Year in Music: Hot 100 Singles & TracksDecember 27, 2003
- 32NewsRap Rules Among the Grammy Award NominationsStrauss, Neil — December 5, 2003
- 33Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson Plan Joint Headlining TourMoss, Corey — January 13, 2004
- 34From Justin to Kelly (2003)Flixster — June 20, 2003
- 35Kelly Clarkson Didn't Like From Justin To Kelly' EitherHalifax Media Group — February 3, 2006
- 36MagazineStupid Questions with Kelly ClarksonSnierson, Dan — Time Inc. — August 19, 2006
- 37Norway's Nilsen Wins 'World Idol' TitleSilverman, Stephen — Time Inc. — January 2, 2004
- 38Breakaway — Kelly Clarkson : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards : AllMusicErlewine, Stephen Thomas — Rovi Corporation
- 39MagazineComfortably 'Numb'Suzman, Gary — Time Inc. — December 8, 2004
- 40NewsClarkson Pops Back From Cold 'December'J. Freedom du Lac — March 10, 2009
- 41Coldplay had biggest selling album of 2005International Federation of the Phonographic Industry — Time, Inc. — March 31, 2006
- 42Kelly Clarkson and Bruno Mars on 'The X Factor'Suzman, Gary — Tribune Media Services — November 21, 2011
- 43MagazineThe 2005 Year in Music & TouringDecember 24, 2005
- 44Kelly Clarkson Turns 23; Fans' Tour Wishes Come TrueDavis, Carolyn E. — April 27, 2005
- 45MagazineAmerican Idol's Tenth Anniversary: Kelly Clarkson's Journey to 73 Billboard Chart ToppersBronson, Fred — Prometheus Global Media — June 11, 2012
- 46MagazineWard, Gnarls Barkley Lock Down U.K. ChartsApril 24, 2006
- 47Press releaseMediabase Announces 2006 Radio Airplay LeadersPremiere Radio Networks, Inc — December 21, 2006
- 48NewsKelly ClarksonGrammy Award — January 18, 2013
- 49Kelly Clarkson To Final Four FestKrista Desens Desens — fantasymusicleague
- 50Will Smith, Kelly Clarkson, Alanis Morissette, Stevie Wonder Entertain At NBA FinalsBill Lamb — About.com — June 9, 2005
- 51Winter Olympics Concerts: Kelly Clarkson, Whitney Houston, Avril Lavigne, and MoreBill Lamb — About.com — January 30, 2006
- 52"Bold Moves" puts consumers at center of all Ford-brand marketingFord Motor Company
- 53Kelly Clarkson fans may be addicted to FordFord Motor Company
- 54MagazineKelly Clarkson BiographyMaya Georgi — Wenner Media LLC
- 55Kelly Clarkson, 'My December' (RCA)Michael Endelman — January 18, 2008
- 59MagazineKelly Clarkson Unveils Fall Tour PlansJonathan Cohen — Prometheus Global Media — September 4, 2007
- 60UK Album Chart analysis: Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto smashes through 200k sales barrierAlan Jones — Intent Media — October 31, 2011
- 61NewsKelly Clarkson: Under New ManagementFaber, Judy — CBS Corporation — February 11, 2009
- 62NewsI'm not as controversial as the media portrays me, says original American Idol winner Kelly ClarksonRick Fulton — February 27, 2009
- 64NASCAR and Kelly Clarkson Announce Unprecedented Partnershipnascar.com — January 19, 2007
- 65Clarkson Duets With Reba On 'idol' ReunionAllbusiness.com
- 66Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson Plan Tour TogetherMTV Networks — November 15, 2007
- 67NewsMusic: Kelly Clarkson's 'All I Ever Wanted'Hearst Corporation — March 11, 2009
- 68NewsHot 100 Chart Moves: Kelly Clarkson's 'Heartbeat Song' Debuts in Top 40Gary Trust — January 23, 2015
- 69The 52nd Grammy Award Nominees ListGrammy.com — 2009
- 70NewsKelly Clarkson's 'My Life' makes historyMartens, Todd — January 28, 2009
- 71Think Kelly Clarkson's 'Already Gone' Sounds Like Beyonce's 'Halo?' So Does Kelly ...Montgomery, James — Viacom Media Networks — July 27, 2009
- 72Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis and Miley Cyrus Head VH1 Divas Lineup!Juzwiak, Rich — Viacom Media Networks — July 21, 2009
- 74Jason Aldean To Release 'My Kinda Party' November 2 – Country Music Is LoveCountrymusicislove.com
- 75NewsWeek Ending July 17, 2011. Songs: Demi's BreakthroughPaul Grein — July 20, 2011
- 76The 54th Grammy Award Nominees ListGrammy.com — 2011
- 77NewsBest Pop Vocal Album – Kelly ClarksonChristopher Rosen — February 4, 2013
- 78News'American Idol' on the Charts: Fantasia Looks for Another 'Win'Fred Bronson — Prometheus Global Media — March 9, 2013
- 79MagazineWeekly Chart Notes: Kylie Minogue's 9th No. 1 Dance Hit, Scissor Sisters' 'Kiki' DebutsKeith Caulfield — Prometheus Global Media — August 3, 2012
- 80Kelly Clarkson's Official Website StoreMyplaydirect.com
- 81NewsKelly Clarkson sings National Anthem at Super Bowl: 'I've never been more nervous in my life'Joyce Chen — February 6, 2012
- 82MagazineKelly Clarkson Tops Billboard 200Keith Caulfield — March 18, 2009
- 83McCoy (Giants) ribs Clarkson (Cowboys)September 5, 2012
- 84MagazineKelly Clarkson Among Singers Starring in DuetsMarch 8, 2012
- 85'Blake Shelton's Not So Family Christmas Special' Leaves Viewers in StitchesMegan Pacella — Townsquare Media — December 4, 2012
- 86News'American Idol' on the Charts: Alums End 2013 on High NotesFred Bronson — January 5, 2014
- 87MagazineGrammy Awards 2014: Full Nominations ListDecember 6, 2013
- 88Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson To Perform At President Obama's Second InaugurationViacom Media Networks
- 90Kelly Clarkson's Natural Woman and Tennessee Waltz in Tribute to Carole King and Patti PageTribune Media Services
- 91MagazineKelly Clarkson goes country on new single, 'Tie It Up': Hear it here!Adam Carlson — Time Inc. — June 10, 2013
- 92MagazineJewel Releasing 'Greatest Hits' on Feb. 5Gary Graff — Prometheus Global Media — December 10, 2012
- 93Robbie Williams announces new album 'Swings Both Ways'-videoSeptember 11, 2013
- 94Kelly Clarkson's 'Wrapped In Red' Debuts At Number 3 On Billboard Top 200Contact Music — December 2013
- 95Kelly's Clarkson's Wrapped In Red Certified Platinum By The RIAADecember 5, 2013
- 96Mediabase: Year-End Charts 2013December 7, 2013
- 97TV Ratings: 'Sing-Off' tops 'X Factor', while 'Survivor' leads CBS WednesdayDecember 12, 2013
- 98CITIZEN Introduces Grammy Award Winner Kelly Clarkson as New Brand AmbassadorCitizen Watch Company
- 99Enlists Don Was for a "Dream Come True"Martina McBride — January 15, 2014
- 100MagazineSee Kelly Clarkson and Josh Groban perform 'All I Ask Of You' for PBS specialJessica Goodman — Time Inc. — November 3, 2015
- 101Kelly Clarkson Featured on New Song After Canceling More Tour DatesSophie Schillaci — CBS — September 30, 2015
- 102MagazineKelly Clarkson: I Will Never Tell My Daughter About From Justin to KellyNolan Feeney — February 27, 2015
- 103'Piece By Piece' reviewsCBS Interactive
- 104MagazineKelly Clarkson Claims Her Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 ChartKeith Caulfield — Prometheus Global Media — March 11, 2015
- 105American Idol: Kelly Clarkson Week Song Spoilers Revealed!Michael Slezak — TVLine Media, LLC — March 30, 2015
- 106Kelly Clarkson's Canadian & U.K. Tour Dates CanceledKaren Bliss — Billboard — September 26, 2015
- 107Radio & Records: Going For Adds: Hot ACMay 18, 2015
- 108Hot/Modern/AC Future ReleasesAll Access Media Group
- 109Dallas Gets Grammy Nods with Leon Bridges, Kelly Clarkson and MoreJeff Gage — December 7, 2015
- 110Kelly Announces New Children's BookSony Music Entertainment — February 9, 2016
- 111Q&A with Kelly ClarksonShannon Maughan — September 22, 2016
- 112River Rose and the Magical Christmas – Kelly Clarkson – HardcoverKelly Clarkson
- 113Michelle Obama Teams with Missy Elliott, Janelle Monae, Zendaya & More for New SongEmilee Lindner — Fuse — March 15, 2016
- 116NewsKelly Clarkson Joins The Voice Season 14 as Coach (EXCLUSIVE)Daniel Holloway — Penske Media Corporation — May 11, 2017
- 117MagazineKelly Clarkson Signs Long-Term Deal With Atlantic, Preparing Soul/R&B-Inspired Album for 2017Joe Lynch — Prometheus Global Media — June 24, 2016
- 118MagazineKelly Clarkson Reappears With A Pair Of New Singles, 'Love So Soft' And 'Move You'Hugh McIntyre — September 7, 2017
- 119MagazineKelly Clarkson, Chris Brown And Several Rappers Post New Albums Inside The U.S. Top 10Hugh McIntyre — November 6, 2017
- 120Kelly Clarkson & Pink Join Forces to Open 2017 American Music AwardsTV News Deck — BroadwayWorld — November 16, 2017
- 122MagazineStudios' 2017 Forecast: Big Bets, Franchise Fears and Executive IntrigueKim Masters — January 5, 2016
- 123NewsKelly Clarkson Gets Animated in 'DreamWorks Home For the Holidays' Christmas Special (Exclusive)John Boone — November 17, 2017
- 125MagazineBillboard Music Awards Winners 2018: The Complete ListMay 20, 2018
- 126Brynn Cartelli of Longmeadow wins season 14 of NBC's 'The Voice'Hayley Crombleholme — May 22, 2018
- 128Kelly Clarkson Joins 'UglyDolls' Voice CastGregg Kilday — July 10, 2018
- 129Magazine'UglyDolls' Soundtrack Features New Music From Nick Jonas, Kelly Clarkson & More: See Track ListAngelica Acevedo — March 27, 2019
- 130MagazineKelly Clarkson officially launching a daytime talk showJames Hibberd — September 19, 2018
- 131Kelly Clarkson postpones Las Vegas residency to 2021Matthew Seeman — May 1, 2020
- 132MagazineKelly Clarkson Sets 2020 Invincible Residency at Las Vegas' Zappos Theater: ExclusiveMelinda Sheckells — Eldridge Industries — November 1, 2019
- 133MagazineKelly Clarkson meets Reese Witherspoon's Bradley Jackson in The Morning Show sneak peekNovember 7, 2019
- 134Kelly Clarkson tapped as Wayfair's first 'brand ambassador'Gintautas Dumcius — February 19, 2020
- 135Kelly Clarkson Joins 'Trolls 2' & Will Perform Original SongAmanda N'Duka et al. — October 4, 2018
- 136Kelly Clarkson Talks About Recording New Single 'I Dare You' in 6 LanguagesZach Seemayer — April 16, 2020
- 137Daytime Emmy Nominations: GH Tops Soaps, Kelly Clarkson Leads TalkersMichael Ausiello — May 21, 2020
- 139NewsKelly Clarkson to receive star on the Hollywood Walk of FameAndrea Dresdale — June 18, 2020
- 140NewsKelly Clarkson to replace Ellen DeGeneres on US TVMay 28, 2021
- 141Daytime Emmys Winners List – Updating LiveErik Pedersen — June 25, 2021
- 142MagazineKelly Clarkson Announces New Holiday Single 'Christmas Isn't Canceled (Just You)'Heran Mamo — September 15, 2021
- 143Kelly Clarkson to release second festive album When Christmas Comes Around... on October 15Jack White — Official Charts — September 22, 2021
- 1442023 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Winners & Nominees ListTaila Lee — November 15, 2022
- 145MagazineKelly Clarkson, Michael Buble, Pentatonix & Train to Bring Holiday Hits to iHeartRadio Christmas ConcertKatie Atkinson — November 5, 2021
- 146How to Watch "Kelly Clarkson Presents: When Christmas Comes Around"Mallory Dwortz — December 1, 2021
- 147'The Voice' Recap: A Historic Winner Is Crowned The Season 21 ChampionAvery Thompson — 15 December 2021
- 148Snoop Dogg & Kelly Clarkson To Host NBC's 'American Song Contest' Reality SeriesFebruary 13, 2022
- 149MagazineKelly Clarkson Announces 'Kellyoke' EP With New Cover of Billie Eilish's 'Happier Than Ever'Rania Aniftos — May 25, 2022
- 151Daytime Emmy Awards 2022 Winners ListMatt Webb Mitovich — June 24, 2022
- 152Carly Pearce Teases 'Super Fun' New Song With Kelsea Ballerini & Kelly ClarksonAlyssa Norwin — September 12, 2022
- 153Kelly Clarkson to host 12th annual NFL HonorsNFL Enterprises LLC. — December 16, 2022
- 154The Voice Season 23 Coaches Have Been Revealed—See the Brand New LineupMcKenzie Jean-Philippe — October 11, 2022
- 155Jeff Goldblum taps Kelly Clarkson for upcoming EP Play Well With OthersJanuary 27, 2023
- 156Kelly Clarkson Details New Album Chemistry: 'The Arc of an Entire Relationship'Alexis Jones — March 26, 2023
- 157MagazineKelly Clarkson Details New Album ChemistryAlthea Legaspi — March 26, 2023
- 158MagazineKelly Clarkson Announces Post-Divorce Album Chemistry, Explains Meaning Behind the TitleMitchell Peters — March 26, 2023
- 159Can Kelly Clarkson Save Daytime? The Host on Taking Over Ellen's Spot, Touring Again and Broadway DreamsElizabeth Wagmeister — Variety Media, LLC — September 7, 2022
- 160Kelly Clarkson Is Coming for What's HersApril 14, 2023
- 161Kelly Clarkson is playing Vegas this summer. Here's how to get ticketsDrew Weisholtz — NBC Universal — March 27, 2023
- 162NewsKelly Clarkson to play NYE, Super Bowl weekends at Planet HollywoodJohn Katsilometes — October 23, 2023
- 163This Is Why Kelly Clarkson Moved Her Talk Show from LA to NYCJackie Manno — NBCUniversal Media — October 17, 2023
- 164Kelly Clarkson, Dolly Parton, John Mayer launching SiriusXM channelsBuddy Iahn — November 8, 2023
- 165SZA leads Grammy nominees, Miley could get 1st win and Taylor Swift is poised to make historyJennifer McClellan et al. — November 10, 2023
- 166Daytime Emmy Awards: 'General Hospital' Wins Outstanding Drama – Full Winners ListLynette Rice — December 15, 2023
- 168MagazineTerri Clark Welcomes Kelly Clarkson, Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson and More For 'Take Two' Collaborative Album: ExclusiveJessica Nicholson — March 29, 2024
- 169Fans Say Kelly Clarkson Might 'Dethrone Mariah as the Queen of Christmas' With Upcoming Holiday SongGabriela Arevalo — September 23, 2024
- 170MagazineKelly Clarkson to Return as Host of NBC's Christmas in Rockefeller CenterRania Aniftos — Eldridge Industries — November 6, 2024
- 171NewsKelly Clarkson is Hosting the 2024 Rockfeller Center Christmas Tree LightingGeorgina DiNardo — NBCUniversal Media — November 4, 2024
- 172Keke Palmer & Kelly Clarkson Vibe In Hilarious High-Energy InterviewJanuary 22, 2025
- 173MagazineKelly Clarkson Teases She's 'Bringing the Studio to the Stage' with New 18-Date Las Vegas ResidencyJack Irvin — Dotdash Meredith — February 6, 2025
- 174NewsKelly Clarkson in Vegas: How to score tickets to her Caesars Palace residencyMelissa Ruggieri — February 6, 2025
- 175MagazineKelly Clarkson Drops Major Announcement and Fans Are Freaking OutMary Hawkins — Parade Media — April 18, 2025
- 176Kelly Clarkson's New Single, 'Where Have You Been,' Premieres on SiriusXMSiriusXM — May 1, 2025
- 177Magazine'The Voice' Renewed for Season 29 With Format Revamp; Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Adam Levine ReturningJoe Otterson — July 22, 2025
- 178Kelly Clarkson Will Interview These Musicians in NBC's "Songs & Stories" SpecialKaitlin Kimont — NBC — May 16, 2025
- 179'The Kelly Clarkson Show' to End After Seven Seasons in SyndicationRick Porter — February 2, 2026
- 180MagazineCan You Picture Kelly Clarkson, Travis Barker, and 'Weird Al' Cameos On New Muppet-Themed Rock 'N' Roller Coaster At Hollywood Studios?Gil Kaufman — April 16, 2026
- 181Five Things Kelly Clarkson Has Admitted To Lying AboutJack Murchie — ARN Media — July 30, 2026
- 182MagazineKelly Clarkson Sets 'The Voice' Return for Season 30Ethan Shanfeld — May 7, 2026
- 183NewsKelly Clarkson – Stronger ReviewLewis Corner — Digital Spy — October 26, 2011
- 184NewsKelly Clarkson – InterviewPeter Robinson — Popjustice — October 2011
- 185MagazineKelly Clarkson – Q&AAustin Scaggs — March 15, 2012
- 186NewsKelly Clarkson pours her soul into 'Meaning of Life'Isaac Feldberg — October 26, 2017
- 188NewsHappily Up to Her Ears in AngstJon Caramanica — January 22, 2012
- 189NewsFormer 'American Idol' Now the Voice of VengeanceJon Caramanica et al. — October 24, 2011
- 190MagazineLive Review: Kelly Clarkson – Wembley Arena 2012Sophie Sinclair — October 22, 2012
- 191NewsWhy Kelly Clarkson Is the American Idol Winner Who Actually MattersMark Deming — August 24, 2015
- 194MagazineThe 75 Greatest Women of All Time
- 195MagazineKelly Clarkson – Stronger ReviewJody Rosen — October 25, 2011
- 196MagazineKelly Clarkson, 'Stronger': Track-By-Track ReviewJason Lipshutz — October 24, 2011
- 197NewsKelly Clarkson Has Never Lip-SyncedCory Myers — January 29, 2013
- 198News'American Idol' Phillip Phillips' 'Home' Scores Huge DebutMay 31, 2012
- 199MagazineThe Writer's Block: Kelly Clarkson on Writing from Emotion, Her Future on 'The Voice,' and the Itch to Make a Country AlbumTina Benitez-Eves — June 23, 2023
- 200NewsKelly Clarkson shares how 'Miss Independent' changed her careerLiz Calvario — April 6, 2022
- 201MagazineWatch Kelly Clarkson change the lyrics to 'Piece By Piece' after divorceEmlyn Travis — August 8, 2023
- 202MagazineKelly Clarkson recalls the time she accidentally dissed Mariah CareyChristian Holub — June 30, 2023
- 203NewsKelly Clarkson Slams Clive Davis: 'I Refuse to Be Bullied'Michele Amabile Angermiller et al. — February 19, 2013
- 204MagazineKelly Clarkson Says She Gave Up 'Millions' in Songwriting Royalties to Show How Much She Dislikes Dr. LukeAshley Iasimone — September 13, 2017
- 205MagazineKelly Clarkson protested Dr. Luke — and potentially lost 'millions'Nolan Feeney — September 14, 2017
- 206MagazineKelly Clarkson: I Lost 'Millions' for Dropping Co-Writing Credit With Dr. LukeJoyce Chen — September 14, 2017
- 207How Aretha Franklin Predicted Kelly Clarkson's SuccessYouTube — March 6, 2019
- 209Magazine'American Idol' Begins: When Kelly Clarkson Wasn't Even on the Radar & More Season 1 MemoriesApril 5, 2016
- 210MagazineKelly Clarkson on Loving Whitney Houston, Adele and MoreMarch 15, 2012
- 212NewsKelly Clarkson Influenced By Prince, Aretha Franklin, Others For New AlbumJames Dinh — February 15, 2011
- 213Magazine100 Greatest Singers of All TimeDecember 3, 2010
- 214NewsKelly Clarkson's Rockin', Soulful Side To Show On New LPCory Moss — March 2, 2004
- 216MagazineMiss IndependentJosh Tyrangiel — February 5, 2006
- 217MagazineKelly Clarkson covers Metallica's Sad But True: It has never sounded so angelicMay 7, 2024
- 218The Decade In Music: Kelly Clarkson's 'Since U Been Gone' (2005)Stephen Thompson — NPR — November 16, 2009
- 219Kelly Clarkson talks waving goodbye to pop-rock for her "sensual" new album The Meaning of Life - InterviewRob Copsey — Official Charts — November 15, 2017
- 220Magazine2 Kelly Clarkson Songs You Didn't Know Were Almost Recorded by Somebody ElseJacob Uitti — May 13, 2025
- 221MagazineAll I Ever WantedMarch 3, 2009
- 222MagazineAsk Billboard: Kelly Clarkson's Career Sales & 'Wild Thoughts' About RihannaGary Trust — Prometheus Global Media — September 10, 2017
- 223Hot Stuff: Why This Week's Billboard Hot 100 Is History-MakingFebruary 24, 2012
- 225MagazineThe 200 Greatest Singers of All TimeJanuary 1, 2023
- 226MagazineBillboard's Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century Chart: Nos. 100-1Trevor Anderson et al. — March 19, 2025
- 227MagazineSimon Defends KellyOctober 23, 2012
- 228MagazineKelly Clarkson's 'American Idol' Victory, 10 Years LaterMichele Amabile Angermiller — September 4, 2012
- 230The Legacy of 'American Idol': It Was Always About the StarsMay 11, 2015
- 231NewsYou may scoff at 'American Idol' now, but it changed pop culture foreverEmily Yahr — March 31, 2016
- 232News'American Idol's' music cred growingNekesa Mumbi Moody — January 11, 2007
- 233NewsLI's Shaggy poised to make a comebackMay 28, 2015
- 235Kelly Clarkson grows stronger, more determinedGeorge Varga — April 5, 2012
- 236How Women Dominated Pop Music in the '00sSeptember 29, 2014
- 238MagazineVanessa Hudgens Credits Kelly Clarkson with Inspiring Her CareerGlenn Rowley — April 5, 2022
- 240Ava Max - Interview and "Kings & Queens" Performance with The Kelly Clarkson ShowNBC — September 22, 2020
- 241Jordin SparksDigital Spy — May 29, 2009
- 242NewsAshley Tisdale Embraces Her Inner Kelly Clarkson On 'Guilty Pleasure'MTV News — July 28, 2009
- 243Magazine5 Albums I Can't Live Without: Avril LavigneLiza Lentini — February 18, 2022
- 245Priscilla Block Says Kelly Clarkson Changed Her LifeCMT — February 9, 2022
- 246NewsKelly Clarkson Marries Fiance Brandon Blackstock In Tennessee – All the Details!Stephanie Webber — October 21, 2013
- 247NewsReba McEntire "Thrilled to Death" to Have Kelly Clarkson as Daughter-in-LawBruna Nessif — February 12, 2013
- 249Kelly Clarkson reveals secret to working with her hubby: 'It comes down to respect'Gina Vivinetto — October 1, 2018
- 250NewsRiver Rose Blackstock is Kelly Clarkson's baby's nameJune 15, 2014
- 252Kelly Clarkson Files for Divorce From Husband Brandon BlackstockJennifer Drysdale — June 11, 2020
- 253NewsKelly Clarkson reveals she 'definitely didn't see' her divorce coming on talk show premiereCharles Trepany — USA Today — September 21, 2020
- 254MagazineKelly Clarkson Settles Divorce, Will Pay Brandon Blackstock Over $1.3M Plus Monthly Spousal SupportOlivia Jakiel — March 8, 2022
- 255MagazineKelly Clarkson's Ex-Husband Ordered To Repay Her $2.6M Over 'Unlawfully Procured' Business DealsBill Donahue — November 30, 2023
- 256NewsBrandon Blackstock's Official Cause of Death Confirmed After Ex-Husband of Kelly Clarkson Died at 48Ilana Kaplan et al. — 11 August 2025
- 257NewsBrandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson's Ex-Husband, Dead at 48 from CancerRachel DeSantis et al. — August 7, 2025
- 261NewsKelly Clarkson supports Ron PaulKarin Tanabe — December 29, 2011
- 262Kelly Clarkson Endorses Obama: 'I Have A Lot Of Gay Friends'October 23, 2012
- 265Kelly Clarkson Stamps for Idol Gives BackTrend Hunter — April 10, 2008
- 266Kelly ClarksonMarch of Dimes Foundation — 2012
- 267MagazineKelly Clarkson – Kelly Clarkson Visits South African OrphanageContactmusic — April 2, 2011
- 268Kelly Clarkson Charity Work, Events and Causes2006–2012
- 269CharitySony Music Entertainment — 2012
- 272More than One in Five Children in the U.S. Face Hunger, According to New USDA ReportMultiVu, Feeding America, The Ad Council