Kelly Clarkson, who began singing as a young girl in her school choir, rose to national fame as the first-ever winner of the popular television show American Idol. While 10,000 hopeful singers auditioned for the show, Clarkson excelled throughout the competition, ultimately taking home the title of American Idol and winning a recording contract with RCA. In 2003, Clarkson released her debut album, Thankful, which went double platinum in the U.S. and featured the hit songs “Miss Independent,” “The Trouble with Love Is” and “A Moment Like This.” 2004 saw the release of her second album, Breakaway, further establishing the singer as a national star with the hit songs “Walk Away,” “Since U Been Gone” and “Breakaway.”

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Justin Guarini, Fantasia Barrino, Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion