Inside Kelly Clarkson’s First PEOPLE Feature — for American Idol in 2002!

PEOPLE is celebrating its 50th birthday this year! During 2024, the magazine will share retrospective memories highlighting the first star of PEOPLE.

Kelly Clarkson has yet to be crowned the first ever winner American Idol when she appeared in an article in the Sept. 9, 2002, issue of PEOPLE. The singer — who later became a Grammy-winning pop-rock superstar and TV host — was still among the top contenders back then.

However, in the debut season of the reality competition series, it was an instant pop culture phenomenon, with 15 million viewers watching weekly and many voting live for their favorite artist. Viewers were charmed by the line-up of young singers who won over judges Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell – with Clarkson a particular fan favorite as the Texas girl-next-door and powerful-voiced cocktail waitress.

PEOPLE interviewed and photographed a handful of top contenders in the tricked-out eight-bedroom house they shared in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley when only four contenders remained. Clarkson, then 20, told PEOPLE what she loves most about their shared mansion, saying the steam room is her “favorite thing in the morning.” She also shared a snack she made in their fully equipped kitchen: a sandwich with honey wheat bread, turkey, ham, mustard, mayo and corn chips. (“I make them good,” she added.)

Justin Guarini, Nikki McKibbin and Kelly Clarkson in the September 9, 2002 issue of ‘PEOPLE’ Kelly Clarkson moved to NYC because she needed a ‘fresh start’ after being ‘unhappy’ in LA for years (Exclusive)

Clarkson opened up about how her experience on the show was tumultuous and how challenging it was at times. Not only did she say she sleeps three to four hours a night, but she admitted, “There are days when I just don’t shower.”

The “Stronger” singer also revealed her trick to prevent voice strain. “I’m taking it the hard way,” she said, revealing that she had swallowed a cork full of olive oil before taking the stage. “That’s very, very nasty.”

The singer-songwriter’s friends from her hometown of Burleson, Texas, talked to PEOPLE about her life before Idol, too. One friend, Lindsay Hope, noted that Clarkson was shy about her pipes. (“She turned her back before she sang to me,” she said.)

Friend Lauren Mankin addressed one of the performer’s funnier habits. “She could sleep through the alarm… Many times she wouldn’t open the door, and I had to climb over her fence to throw things at her window,” she said.

Kelly Clarkson on ‘American Idol’ 2002 Kevin Winter/Getty Kelly Clarkson ‘Never wanted to get married’ and enjoys single life: ‘Dating sucks’ (Exclusive)

Because of this, Clarkson was “terrified to sleep over her.” Idol audition” — so much so that her friend Jessica Higgins said she threw rocks at her window at 4 a.m., hours before.

While the host of The Kelly Clarkson Show had fun with Idol experience and trying to stay focused on her performance, the musician also told PEOPLE that there were moments that surprised her. Let’s say, the actors who were also filming on FOX at the time would say Idol the contestants were fans and Malcolm in the middleJane Kaczmarek told her she “would be such a big Broadway star.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Kelly Clarkson on Dealing with Depression, ‘Extremely Difficult’ Divorce: ‘I’m Taking My Power Back’ (Exclusive)

Kaczmarek’s prediction was not far off because now — since the “Since U Been Gone” singer has won three Grammys, judging Vote and hosted her own talk show — stated that she aims to write a Broadway show.

Since the hitmaker’s appearance in the September 9, 2002 issue of PEOPLE, she has appeared on the cover a total of five times, including the latest issue, which is on newsstands now.

Kelly Clarkson on the cover of PEOPLE.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education