Kelly Clarkson‘s life changed when she won American Idol in 2002. In a recent heartfelt Instagram post, the “Stronger” singer celebrated the 23rd anniversary of her win and shared how it changed her life.
Here’s what Clarkson said in her Instagram post.
Kelly Clarkson celebrates her American Idol win on its 23rd Anniversary
Kelly Clarkson won American Idol at the age of 20 in its first-ever season, which aired in 2002. In her successful career, Clarkson has produced hundreds of songs and sold over 82 million copies worldwide, leading to various accolades. Her songs have topped Billboard charts on numerous occasions.
The three-time Grammy winner recently took to her official Instagram account to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of her win. She posted a photo from the finale, accompanied by a heartfelt caption that reflected on how the show had changed her life.
The caption read, “To everyone that took time 23 years ago to call in and vote for me, thank you.” Clarkson added, “Winning American Idol changed my life and I will be forever grateful for all of you that have supported me for so many years. It is a gift to find your purpose and passion, and to be able to make a living doing it is the cherry on top. Thank you, always.”
Among the many fan comments, the official American Idol Instagram account also replied to the post. It stated, “THIS is what it’s all about. You were an icon from the start.”
Later, American Idol shared a clip from the finale, showcasing the moment Clarkson was announced as the winner. The caption read, “23 years ago, Kelly Clarkson won American Idol!’
This isn’t the first time that Clarkson has taken to social media to celebrate her career with the fans. In 2022, Clarkson uploaded a post sharing how American Idol “changed the course of her life.” She noted how the show “was the door that opened up so much access” in the industry.
Recently, Clarkson took time off after the death of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, who passed away from melanoma in August 2025. She postponed her Las Vegas shows to be with their two kids, River, 11, and Remington, 9.
Originally reported by Harsha Panduranga on ComingSoon.
