Success in Music

Becoming an American Idol: The Success of Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson is known all over the world as the first ever American Idol. Born on April 24, 1982, Kelly Clarkson released her debut album, titled Thankful, right after she won the popular contest. The album, which contained the single A Moment Like This, went on to sell like hot pancakes and reach the double platinum mark. This initial success was followed by another as Kelly Clarkson came up with her second album, Breakaway.

Kelly Clarkson was originally marketed as a pop performer. Later on however, she was re-packaged into a more pop rock-oriented singer with the release of Breakaway. The change of image was effective as the album overtook a number of chart toppers that saw Kelly Clarkson selling millions of copies worldwide.

Various music critics have hailed Kelly Clarkson’s vocal abilities which set her apart from the other American Idols. Her charming vocal abilities exuded sassy sexiness while maintaining her wholesome girl-next-door image. Clarkson, who took creative control over her album Breakaway, was compared by Idol judge Simon Cowell to powerful divas like Celine Dion. Rolling Stone also hailed her as being different from other Idols because she opted to embrace a new image and showcase her powerful vocals by doing contemporary rock music.

Kelly Clarkson’s versatility as a performer was proven when she performed country music with Rascal Flatts during the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2006, and then with Reba McEntire in 2007.

Kelly Clarkson’s success sets her apart from the other Idols because she has remained focused in creating a name and an image for herself without clinging to her Idol image. She has remained true to herself, at the same time reinvented it time and again.