STILL HYPED: KELLY CLARKSON: THE EVOLUTION OF AN IDOL

So now that American Idol is in full swing and really the talent so far hasn't been great (except for Michael and Crystal), I thought it's time to look back at the first ever American Idol winner (I wonder if she ever gets tired of being called that). KELLY CLARKSON!

The almost 28 year old singer has spent the last decade dominating the music scene since her first hit A Moment Like This. Clarkson was lucky in the fact that she was given a winner's song that was actually half decent and of course she added her talent to make it her own.  In October 2002, Clarkson set a record on the most influential music chart, Billboard Top 100, when Moment jumped from # 52 to #1 in one week.

As winner of American Idol, Clarkson was then 'forced' to compete in the hokey World Idol in London, England which pit other Idol winners from across the globe against each other in another singing competition. Clarkson did finish second but the concept for the show was greatly criticized and never held again.

Kelly Clarkson has a career that a singer can only dream of. She has loyal fans that continue to support her tours around the world (as of this writing Clarkson just wrapped up a successful South African tour) and analyze and discuss almost every morsel that leaves her witty mouth. 

Below is a quick summary of Clarkson`s CDs:

ALBUMS
Thankful - 2003

• Debuted at #1 in the US
• Certified double platinum (US)
• Lead single Miss Independent reached top 10 in Canada/US/UK/Australia and earned Clarkson a Grammy nomination in Best Female Pop Performance
• Released Low and Trouble with Love but both performed poorly

Breakaway - 2004

• Only the fourth album in history to stay in the Billboard 200 Top 20 for a consecutive year
• Certified six times platinum (US)
• Singles, Breakaway, Since U Been Gone, Behind These Hazel Eyes, Because of You, Walk Away all became huge worldwide hits
• Clarkson received her first Grammy Award for Best Pop Female Performance and also won a second award for Best Pop Vocal Album

My December - 2007

• Debuted at #2 but this album is generally considered a flop by Clarkson standards and forced Clarkson to re-evaluate the direction of her music and career
•  First single, titled Never Again, peaked at #8, but is the only hit song of the CD
• Clarkson parted with her management, The Firm, on June 11, 2007
• On June 14, 2007, it was announced that Clarkson's summer tour—her first nationwide arena tour—had been canceled due to low ticket sales and was moved to smaller venues
• Certified platinum (US)

All I Ever Wanted - 2009

• First single, My Life Would Suck Without You, zoomed from #97 to #1 and broke the record of biggest jump to the top spot (previously held by Britney Spears, Womanizer)
• Also reached #1 in the UK
• CD also debuted at number 1 in the US
• Clarkson was nominated for Best Pop Album Grammy

Kelly Clarkson facts...did you know?

• One of Clarkson's idols is country singer Reba McEntire, whom she sang Because of You with
• The duet resulted in Clarkson being nominated for ACM, CMA and a Grammy nomination for Best Country Duet
• Clarkson has sold over 23 million CDs worldwide
• Before American  Idol, Kelly appeared on Sabrina the Teenage Witch as an extra
• Nickname is Kellbelle
• Loves to perform barefoot
• Will be a part of the 2010 tour of Lilith Fair
• Is of Greek, Welsh, and Irish descent