Kelly Brianne Clarkson (born April 24, 1982) is an American singer who was the winner of the first season of American Idol.

Clarkson was born in Fort Worth, Texas and later moved to Burleson, Texas. As a child, Clarkson aspired to be a marine biologist, but the movie Jaws dissuaded her. In middle school, she was overheard singing in a school corridor by a teacher who invited her to join the school choir. Her participation in choral and musical activities spurred her interest in a recording career and, following her high school graduation, she relocated to Los Angeles, California ... (read more )