Kelly Clarkson Overview
Kelly Brianne Clarkson, known as Kelly Clarkson, was an American singer and songwriter who became the nation’s sweetheart after winning the American Idol title in the first season of the show. The win not only catapulted her to stardom, but also earned her a multi-album record deal with RCA Records, 19 Recordings, and S Records. Since then, she has released many studio albums, three of which reached the top of the US Billboard 200 chart, while the other albums narrowly missed the coveted spot. She was one of the most successful artists to have sprung from the American Idol series. As she achieved success, she experimented with different themes and music styles, often co-writing her songs in accordance with her personal feelings. She earned critical acclaim and a number of prestigious awards for her individuality and singing prowess. Most notably, she has won the Grammy Award three times. Apart from her music career, she has appeared in films and television shows. She also wrote the children's book River Rose and the Magical Lullaby, and has been involved with various charitable organizations.
Early Life And Career
Kelly Clarkson was born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, to Jeanne Ann and Stephen Michael Clarkson. Her mother was a first-grade English teacher and her father was an engineer. Her father divorced her mother when she was just six years old. While she was in the seventh grade, studying at Pauline Hughes Middle School, she was encouraged to join the choir by a teacher who heard her singing in the hallway. She later attended Burleson High School where she performed in several musicals and participated in a talent show.
After completing her graduation in 2000, Kelly Clarkson was determined to pursue her musical dreams. She moved to Los Angeles to look for opportunities, and ended up working as an extra in Television Series, such as Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and Dharma & Greg. She eventually got to work as a vocalist with songwriter Gerry Goffin, and recorded five demo tracks, hoping to land a record deal. She suffered a major disappointment when most US recording studios rejected her, stating that her voice sounded too black. Finally, after a fire catastrophe, she returned to Texas heartbroken, and started working as a telemarketer and waitress..
Career Trajectory
In 2002, Kelly Clarkson learned about the upcoming talent search show, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar, from her friends, who encouraged her to audition for it. She got a golden ticket, a pass to the Hollywood rounds, and was eventually crowned the winner of the inaugural season of the show. She started her music career with the double-A-side singles, titled Before Your Love and A Moment Like This.
In 2003, she released her debut album, titled Thankful, and debuted at number one spot on the US Billboard 200, while its lead single Miss Independent, was a top ten hit in the US. With her second album, titled Breakaway, she decided to break away from her American Idol image and adopted a rock music style. Not only that, her third studio album, titled My December, received positive reviews and its sales numbers suffered for lack of promotion.
Became A Voice Coach
Kelly Clarkson made her coaching debut on The Voice in 2018. The Voice returned for its 14th season on NBC tonight with previous Voice coaches Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, and Alicia Keys joined by new coach Kelly Clarkson. The program’s famed first round where coaches listen to artists without facing them and then turn around if they like what they hear. Artists who turn more than one chair have to pick which team they wish to join. This season added a twist to the blind auditions: Coaches can use a block to prevent another coach from getting an artist. They only get one block for the round.
Personal Life
With her debut single, Kelly Clarkson broke The Beatles' 38-year-old record of the biggest leap to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She later broke Britney Spears' record for the biggest jump to number one in a single week after her single, titled My Life Would Suck Without You, reached the top of the chart from 97th position. Many of her songs were about her strained relationship with her estranged father. While initially the songs were pessimistic in nature, she was eventually able to convey a positive message through the track Piece by Piece. About her relationship, Kelly Clarkson married Brandon Blackstock, the son of her manager Narvel Blackstock, and welcomed a daughter in June 2014 and a son in April 2016.
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