While growing up, Clarkson’s family had a hard time financially and often argued about money. From this experience, Clarkson learned to be financially responsible and independent at an early age. Music became her refuge after the first divorce, but she didn’t embrace it as her salvation until her teens. Clarkson attended Pauline G Hughes Middle School and Burleson High School. She originally wanted to become a marine biologist. In seventh grade, a teacher (Mrs. Cynthia Glenn) overheard her singing in a hallway and asked her to audition for the school choir. Clarkson told the teacher that she had never received professional vocal training. In high school, Clarkson performed in musicals such as Annie Get Your Gun, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Brigadoon. It was whilst at school that Clarkson first decided to pursue singing. She sang at her high school talent show, after which a gentleman shared some inspiring words with her: “God has given you this gift. You’ve got to sing. You’re destined to sing.” Clarkson did continue to sing and soon started classical training, since her family didn’t have much money and she hoped that music would offer college scholarships.

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Kelly Clarkson was the first wide-eyed country girl to take home the American Idol prize (sorry, Carrie Underwood!) Hailing from Burelson, Texas, Clarkson was discovered by her high school choir teacher when she was in seventh grade and moved to Los Angeles to get her foot in the door in the music business after graduating from high school. Clarkson’s only gig was as an extra on an episode of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and the struggling singer eventually moved home, working as a cocktail waitress and promoting Red Bull energy drinks.

Clarkson hadn’t completely given up on her dreams of a singing career, however, and auditioned for the hit Fox television series American Idol. Clarkson made it onto the show and delivered standout performances of “Respect,” “Stuff Like That There” and “Natural Woman,” winning the first American Idol title with 58 percent of the vote form American audiences. As her prize, Clarkson won one million dollars, a recording contract with RCA and a deal with Creative Artists.

Hot on the heels of her AI triumph, Kelly Clarkson went on tour with the rest of the show’s alums and released her debut single “A Moment Like This” just two weeks after winning the competition. The popular single was followed by Clarkson’s aptly titled full-length debut album Thankful in 2003. The album’s release date coincided with Clarkson’s big screen debut in the movie From Justin to Kelly as well as the second season of the reality show that kicked Clarkson’s career into high gear. Thankful peaked at the number one spot on the Billboard 200 chart and was followed by Clarkson’s sophomore album, Breakaway, in 2004. The album spawned hit singles and radio mainstays “Because of You,” “Behind These Hazel Eyes” and “Since U Been Gone” and garnered Clarkson two Grammy Awards for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Pop Vocal album at the 48th annual awards show. Breakaway peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 chart and eventually sold 6 million copies in the U.S. and 11 million worldwide.

After securing success with two pop-oriented albums, Kelly Clarkson segued into rock for her third album, My December, in 2007. Co-produced by David Kahne (the Strokes, Sublime, Bangles), the album was co-written by Clarkson and included top five single “Never Again.” My December made it to the number two spot on the Billboard 200 chart and Clarkson’s newest effort is sure to follow suit when it is released this spring. Clarkson will likely hit the road in support of her fourth album subsequent to its release, so check out http://www.stubhub.com/kelly-clarkson-tickets for Kelly Clarkson tickets to see the first American Idol winner live!

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