Kelly Clarkson became one of the most famous “American Idol” contestants. But she didn’t even know it was a TV show at first.
Clarkson was on Kylie Kelce’s podcast “Not Gonna Lie” this week. During the episode, Kelce states that she’s seen tweets stating “‘American Idol’ found American’s best vocalist on their first try.”
“‘American Idol’ just absolutely nailed it on the first try,” Kelce said.
But the first season was different than following seasons, Clarkson explained.
“I didn’t even know it was a TV show until my third audition,” she said.
Those auditioning just wanted to pay their bills, she continued, adding that she had a deductible to fix her car that she couldn’t afford. And for those who did know about the TV show, they still didn’t know if it’d amount to anything.
Twenty-three seasons later, singers know what they’re getting into.
Clarkson auditioned with “Express Yourself” by Madonna. The future pop star joked with judge Randy Jackson – who worked on the song – that he should “try out” for “American Idol.”
“Look, I’ll take your place,” she told Jackson, before the two swapped spots, with Clarkson assuming Jackson’s seat at the judges’ table. After singing a snippet of the R. Kelly song “I Believe I Can Fly” (which fellow judges Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell playfully panned), the panel gave Clarkson a unanimous “yes” and sent her to Hollywood.
A few weeks later, Clarkson took home the title as the first “American Idol.”
