Kelly Clarkson's Biggest Moments: A Timeline
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To celebrate the pop star's 33rd birthday on April 24th, we're taking a look back at the highlights of her career and personal life -- from breakout American Idol star to multiplatinum-selling mom!
Sept. 4, 2002
An emotional Kelly Clarkson won the inaugural American Idol competition, beating runner-up Justin Guarini (with 58 percent of vote to 42 percent). "I had no idea what the show was until the third audition," Clarkson told The Guardian in 2011. "My goal was just to be a backup singer -- I never intended to be in front."
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Oct. 5, 2002
Clarkson's debut single, her American Idol coronation ballad "A Moment Like This," hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It crowned the chart for two weeks.
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May 3, 2003
Kelly Clarkson released her debut album Thankful, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
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June 20, 2003
Clarkson and American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini's musical film From Justin to Kelly hit theaters. The movie is a critical and commercial disappointment and Clarkson later says she was “contractually obligated” to do the movie -- and hopes it disappears.
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Dec. 18, 2004
Clarkson's second album Breakaway debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. Breakaway’s title track was originally written by Avril Lavigne before it was passed to Clarkson for inclusion on the Princess Diaries 2 soundtrack.
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April 2, 2005
"Since U Been Gone" hit No. 1 on the Pop Songs chart. It rules the list for seven weeks overall and is widely credited for helping revive uptempo pure pop at then-hip-hop-driven top 40 radio, with acts like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga following in subsequent years.
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July 14, 2007
Clarkson's third album, My December, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The album has more of a rock edge, and there was plenty of behind-the-scenes drama at her label, Arista, prior to the release. “I've sold more than 15 million records worldwide, and still nobody listens to what I have to say," Clarkson told Elle. "I couldn't give a crap about being a star. I've always just wanted to sing and write.”
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Sept. 8, 2007
Reba McEntire's remake of "Because of You," with Clarkson, peaked at No. 2 on Hot Country Songs. Clarkson often name-checks McEntire as an inspiration, and Clarkson would eventually go on to marry McEntire’s stepson, Brandon Blackstock.
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Feb. 7, 2009
Modern-day love song "My Life Would Suck Without You" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, ruling for two weeks. The pop gem makes the biggest vault ever to No. 1, flying 97-1.
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March 28, 2009
Clarkson's fourth LP, All I Ever Wanted, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, becoming her second and most recent leader on the chart.
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Dec. 5, 2009
"Already Gone," co-written with One Republic frontman Ryan Tedder, climbed to No. 1 on the Adult Pop Songs chart, where it becomes her longest-leading hit (eight weeks).
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March 12, 2011
Country star Jason Aldean's duet with Clarkson, "Don't You Wanna Stay," hit No. 1 on Hot Country Songs, notching three weeks total at the summit.
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Dec. 24, 2011
"Mr. Know It All" hit No. 1 on Adult Pop Songs, dominating for six weeks total.
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Feb. 18, 2012
"Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, setting up a three-week reign, her longest on the chart.
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Dec. 8, 2012
Greatest Hits: Chapter One debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200.
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Clarkson became engaged to Brandon Blackstock, her boyfriend of about a year and the son of Clarkson’s manager Narvel Blackstock. "I'M ENGAGED!!!!!" she announced on Twitter. "I wanted y'all to know!! Happiest night of my life last night! I am so lucky and am with the greatest man ever.”
Oct. 21, 2013
After almost a year of being engaged, Kelly Clarkson married Brandon Blackstock. “I'm officially Mrs. Blackstock," Clarkson, 31, tweeted the day they tied the knot. "We got married yesterday at Blackberry Farms in TN, the most beautiful place ever!"
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Nov. 16, 2013
Clarkson's festive holiday album Wrapped in Red debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. “I can't wait for y'all to hear it," tweeted Clarkson. "I have been dying to make this album since I was a kid!"
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June 12, 2014
Kelly Clarkson gave birth to daughter River Rose. “I never thought I was going to be a mom, so it's very much changed my world in the most awesome way,” the singer recently told People in the March 9, 2015 cover story.
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Feb. 21, 2015
Clarkson's debut single "Heartbeat Song," from her new album Piece by Piece, soared 56-34 on the Billboard Hot 100. Piece by Piece "gleams with the professionalism that has marked the rest of Clarkson's postpeak phase," writes Billboard's review of the album. "Working with songwriting and production A-listers like Greg Kurstin (Sia, Britney Spears), Clarkson doubles down on songs that put her skyscraping voice first."