Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Brianne (born April 24, 1982), professionally known as Kelly Clarkson, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, author, and television personality. She gained fame in 2002 by winning the inaugural season of American Idol, earning the title “The Original American Idol.” Her debut single, “A Moment Like This,” topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and broke the record for the largest jump to number one in the chart’s history.

Her first album, Thankful, featured the top ten single “Miss Independent,” which garnered her first Grammy nomination. Her second album, Breakaway, included the hit single “Since U Been Gone,” which reached number two on the Hot 100 and received platinum certification from the RIAA.

Clarkson opted for a different approach with her third album, My December, which she creatively controlled. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and included the top-ten single “Never Again.” Her fourth album, All I Ever Wanted, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The lead single, “My Life Would Suck Without You,” set a new record for the largest leap to number one on the Hot 100, jumping 97-1 in its second week on the chart. This record remains unbroken.

Her fifth album, Stronger, spawned the top-ten “Mr. Know It All” and her third number one, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You).” Subsequently, she released a greatest hits album featuring the top-twenty single “Catch My Breath.” Her holiday album, Wrapped in Red, was the best-selling holiday album of 2013, making Clarkson the first female to achieve this.

Clarkson's sixth album, Piece by Piece, was released on March 3, 2015. The album’s lead single “Heartbeat Song” was released on January 12, 2015, and it peaked at 21 on the Hot 100.

On October 27, 2017, Clarkson released her soul-influenced eighth album, Meaning of Life. To promote the album, three singles were released: “Love So Soft,” “I Don’t Think About You,” and “Heat,” with the first and last topping the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. At the 60th and 61st Grammy Awards, the album received two nominations: for Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Pop Solo Performance for “Love So Soft.” Her ninth studio album and second Christmas album, When Christmas Comes Around…, was released on October 15, 2021.

Kellyoke, an extended play containing six cover songs that Clarkson performed in her “Kellyoke” segment on her talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, was released on June 9, 2022.