Unveiling Kelly Clarkson's Debut in PEOPLE — A Glimpse into American Idol's Inaugural Year!

As PEOPLE commemorates its 50th anniversary in 2024, we embark on a journey down memory lane, spotlighting celebrities' maiden features in the magazine. One such memorable moment unfolds in the September 9, 2002, issue when Kelly Clarkson, not yet crowned the inaugural American Idol, graced the pages as a captivating contender on the brink of stardom.

 

Back in the groundbreaking debut season of American Idol, the reality competition swiftly became a cultural phenomenon, attracting a weekly audience of 15 million viewers who fervently cast live votes for their favorite performers. Among them stood Clarkson, a Texan girl-next-door and cocktail waitress with an electrifying voice, capturing hearts as a frontrunner.

 

In a PEOPLE feature, a glimpse into the lives of the top contestants unfolded within the lavish eight-bedroom mansion they shared in the San Fernando Valley. Clarkson, then a 20-year-old rising star, shared her morning ritual, highlighting the steam room as her cherished sanctuary. Additionally, she revealed her go-to snack – a delectable creation of honey-wheat bread, turkey, ham, mustard, mayo, and corn chips, proudly asserting, "I make 'em good."

 

Amidst the whirlwind of the series, Clarkson candidly discussed the challenges she faced, acknowledging sleep deprivation and moments when personal hygiene took a back seat. To preserve her vocal prowess, she ingeniously revealed her unconventional pre-performance routine of swallowing a cap-full of olive oil, albeit describing it as "very, very nasty."

 

Delving into Clarkson's life before the Idol spotlight, friends from her Burleson, Texas hometown shared anecdotes, unveiling her once-shy demeanor about her singing abilities. Recollections of quirky habits, like sleeping through alarms, added a touch of humor to the narrative. Friend Jessica Higgins even recalled the pre-audition scare, where she resorted to throwing rocks at Clarkson's window at 4 a.m., ensuring she wouldn't miss the life-changing audition.

 

While Clarkson embraced the joy and focus demanded by the Idol experience, she also encountered unexpected moments. Hollywood actors filming on the FOX lot would express admiration, with Malcolm in the Middle's Jane Kaczmarek predicting Clarkson's future Broadway stardom. True to Kaczmarek's foresight, Clarkson, now a three-time Grammy winner, The Voice judge, and host of her own talk show, expresses aspirations of writing a Broadway show.

 

Since her pivotal appearance in the September 9, 2002, PEOPLE feature, Clarkson's star has only ascended, gracing the magazine's cover a total of five times, including the most recent issue available on newsstands. From American Idol hopeful to multi-faceted entertainment powerhouse, Kelly Clarkson's journey unfolds within the pages of PEOPLE, capturing the essence of a rising star's inaugural feature.