Kelly Clarkson wins American Idol

Kelly Clarkson wins American Idol in the summer of 2002. She is so far the biggest star this show has ever produced, and that will be put to a test when her third CD lands this summer. Go Kelly!

Other commercial successes include Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry, and of course, Clay Aiken's fans are stuff of legend.

You know what sucks? Like Tamyra Gray, Seacrest declared Justin Guarini a "superstar" when Kelly won. After a failed singing-career, Justin is now a correspondent for TV Guide along with Kimberly Caldwell covering -- tada! -- American Idol. Justin had a failed bid to star in a Broadway musical and is working on a third album with his own production company. I think, now on its sixth season, we take these "superstar" declarations with a grain of salt. Melinda a "superstar"? LaKisha a "superstar"? Blake a "superstar"? Jordin a "superstar"/"one of our greatest vocalists"? Not to sound bitter but just keeping it honest, when the show manages to mention Sanjaya Malakar in every episode even when he is no longer on the show, when every Idol eliminated gets asked about Sanjaya Malakar in their exit interviews, and when newspapers write that "Sanjaya Malakar and the rest of the American Idol Top 10" are going on tour -- it's clear who the breakout star is this season.

Video clips:

Group Song

Announcement:

A Moment Like This: