No matter what Kelly Clarkson accomplishes in her life, from winning Grammys to hosting an Emmy-winning talk show to being a coach on “The Voice,” she will always be known as the very first “American Idol.”
Twenty-three years after the songstress won the show’s first finale, Clarkson marked the milestone with a touching post on September 4, 2025, writing, “To everyone that took time 23 years ago to call in and vote for me, thank you 🙏 Winning American Idol changed my life and I will be forever grateful for all of you that have supported me for so many years. It is a gift to find your purpose and passion, and to be able to make a living doing it is the cherry on top. Thank you, always.”
Thousands have commented on Clarkson’s social media post, letting her know they voted for her — including many celebrities, from pop star Demi Lovato to fellow “Idol” winner Jordin Sparks.
Demi Lovato Says She Voted for Kelly Clarkson Every Week in 2002
Lovato, who was nine when Clarkson won “American Idol,” sweetly wrote in the comment section of her post, “we love u kelly 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 (and yes i voted every week for u!) thank u for being my first idol. ur amazing 🖤”
It wasn’t the first time Lovato shared her fandom for Clarkson. During a 2022 appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Lovato told the late-night host, “I remember watching her on ‘American Idol’ and just becoming so inspired by her that my email address when I was young was littlekelly@yahoo.com.”
In 2023, Lovato told Andy Cohen on his SiriusXM radio show that Clarkson was her dream collaboration partner, according to Billboard, and noted, “I’ve never worked with Kelly Clarkson, and I love her so much and I grew up idolizing her.”
“We just have to find the right song,” Lovato continued. “We’ve definitely talked about it in the past, so it’s like not in the works, but it’s a high possibility. It’s just like finding the right song that the both of us can belt on would be dope.”
Kelly Clarkson Heard From Other ‘Idol’ Alums Jordin Sparks & Breanna Nix
GettyAnother famous fan who commented on Clarkson’s post was “American Idol” season six winner Jordin Sparks, who wrote, “THE OG!! I remember watching you win and saying to my parents, ‘I want to do that!’ Thank you for inspiring me and so many countless others! ✨”
Fellow musician Julia Michaels weighed in, “I voted for you 🥺🥺🥺🥺❤️ love you Kelly”
Soap opera alum and “Selling Sunset” star Chrishell Stause wrote, “I take my elections seriously. Love that we got this so right🙌♥️”
“The Vampire Diaries” alum and Hallmark actress Arielle Krebbel also chimed in, “Ok but 23 yrs ago?! More like 3…. ;)”
Season 23 third-place finisher Breanna Nix chimed in, “The KELLY Clarkson!🔥”
The “American Idol” social media account also left a comment on Clarkson’s post that was liked by thousands of fans. It said, “THIS is what it’s all about. You were an icon from the start. 🤩”
