Kelly Clarkson Looks Back on American Idol: It Was Amazing!

Kelly Clarkson has had a wonderful career that has spanned over fourteen years. 

Clarkson won the first season of American Idol back in 2002. It’s crazy to think that she’s still as relevant as today as she was back then. 

Her career has continued to flourish, but Idol did not. 

The singing competition finally concluded earlier this year after 15 seasons.

That’s a great run for any series. 

You’d think singing competitions would be a bit long in the tooth by now, but NBC continues to find success with two cycles of The Voice every year. 

Granted, there always seems to be some sort of rift with the judges on the show, but it drums up good ratings. 

Clarkson has enjoyed a lot of success throughout her career. She’s the first artist from the show to achieve 100 Billboard number 1 hit singles. 

Yes, that means the star has topped the chart at least 100 times. 

That’s not an easy task for anyone, so she deserves a lot of recognition for that. 

That said, Kelly is not about to forget where she came from. She knows American Idol gave her the career she has today. 

Joining singing competitions was the best way to get noticed in 2002. There was no Youtube for artists to go viral back in those days. 

Kelly took to Twitter to express her gratitude to the once hot Fox series. 

Kelly Clarkson Brings Everyone to Tears on American Idol

“14 yrs ago 2day @AmericanIdol opened a door w/such amazing opportunities & experiences 4 me!” the 34-year-old singer wrote on Twitter on Sunday, September 4.

“I am 4ever grateful & blessed! #heresto14more.”

There’s every reason to believe that Clarkson will still be topping the charts in fourteen years.

She really does have staying power and it’s not often an artist can continue to top the charts after all this time. 

Kelly recently signed a major record deal with Atlantic Records, so at least we know she’ll continue to release great music. 

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She also welcomed a son in April of this year, but she will be back with new music very soon. 

It just goes to show that even though the final few seasons of American Idol were terrible, the show still served a huge purpose. 

It gave the likes of Kelly Clarkson a start in an industry that’s very difficult to become a star in. 

Clarkson even appeared on the final season of the Fox hit, but apparently Carrie Underwood was not impressed. 

Underwood was given a smaller segment than Clarkson. 

This peeved Underwood because she knows she is the bigger money maker of the two. 

What do you think of all of this?

Hit the comments below!

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Jackie Cole, American Idol Finalist, Diagnosed with Cancer

Jackie Cole is in for a battle far more difficult than anything she faced on the American Ido stage.

The singer has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

Known to viewers simply as “Jax,” Cole finished third on Season 14 of this Fox singing competition, losing out in the end to Nick Fradiani and Clark Beckham.

She made a strong impression on viewers with her unique look and attitude, as well as her impressive vocal chops.

Now, the 20-year old has opened up to My Central Jersey about her cancer diagnosis.

“It was very unexpected,” Jax told the local news outlet on Monday.

“When you’re 20 years old, you have this Superman entitlement mentality, like you’re indestructible. And sometimes all it takes is God telling you it’s time to take a break for you to understand that you are most certainly not.”

The New Jersey native says she discovered a “small lump” on her throat while shopping with her mother and father just prior to taking the stage for a performance at New York City’s Webster Hall in April.

As a result, Jax went to a local urgent care center.

Once there, physicians discovered 18 tumors on her thyroid, a dozen of which tested positive for cancer.

They diagnosed her with Hashimoto’s disease, which is a type of hypothyroidism.

It didn’t take long from there for Jax to undergi surgery to have her thyroid and several nearby lymph nodes removed.

“The first thing I did when I found out about the cancer was crack a joke,” Jax continued to My Central Jersey.

“My little bro knows me the best. The second they wheeled me out of surgery, he said, ‘Man! I tried to warn you the music business was cutthroat.’

“Thank God I have people in my life that were there to help me deal with this when my reality finally clicked for me. I’m a tough guy, but I don’t think I have ever experienced anything scarier.”

Aside from watching Game of Thrones and Orange Is the New Black during her recovery time, Jax says she worked on new music.

She hopes to have it ready for public consumption this fall.

Jax and Steven Tyler – “Piece of My Heart/Walk This Way/Love is Your Name”

Jax – “My Generation”

Look for her to take part in the New York City Marathon on November 6 as a way to raise money for Tuesday’s Children, an organization formed after the 9/11 attacks to support families affected by terrorism and loss.

Most people are unaware that Jax’s dad was a first responder during the attacks.

Pretty amazing family, huh?

“I have had some time to be with my own mind and reflect lately, and I think it’s time I give this thing a real shot,” the singer said on Monday.

“I am a very theatrical person, so crossing that finish line on November 6 is what I want to do. To officially prove I can kick this thing’s ass.”

We’ll be rooting for her, that’s for certain.

Jax – “Misery Business”

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Please join us in wishing a full recovery to Jax.

We were fans of her during her run on American Idol.

We’re even bigger fans now.

Rickey Smith Dies; Former American Idol Finalist Was 36

Rickey Smith, a popular contestant on Season 2 of American Idol, was killed on Thursday via a car accident on a highway just outside of Oklahoma City.

He was 36 years old.

According to TMZ, Smith was behind the wheel of his vehicle when another driver reportedly slammed into his car head-on.

Police have told the website that the other individual involved in the crash was traveling the wrong way down Oklahoma’s I-240 and has been booked for DUI.

Smith advanced all the way to the final eight competitors in 2003, standing out in a field that eventually got narrowed down to Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard in the finale.

Among his memorable performances, Smith once donned a disco-fabulous Afro wig for a rendition of Earth Wind and Fire’s “Let’s Groove.”

He will also be remembered for smiling and chanting “Hercules! Hercules!” during his run on the show, along with drawing comparions during his run to Brian McKnight.

Smith initially auditioned for the show in Nashville by singing a version of McKnight’s “One Last Cry.”

Help us pay tribute to Smith by checking out one of his performance from Season 2 below:

Rickey Smith on American Idol

Smith did not go on to find a huge amount of success in the recording industry.

In a 2008 interview with USA Today, he said he worked at a sports bar and “almost had an album” at one point.

“I had some good people around me,” he told the newspaper. “I wasn’t ready to accept the fact that I had to come back and give up music. I’ve made peace with it, but it’s still frustrating.” 

But Smith did at least remain beloved in his native state of Oklahoma.

“Anywhere I go, they tell me I’m still a celebrity,” he said back then. “I appreciate that.”

We send our condolences to the friends, family members and loved ones of Rickey Smith.

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Carrie Underwood: PISSED at Kelly Clarkson Over American Idol Finale!!

Carrie Underwood is the highest earning American Idol winner of all time, and you better recognize!

Unfortunately, the producers at Idol didn’t give the country sensation the attention she felt she deserved on the show’s finale last night, and is throwing a fit.

Even though Underwood gave a solo performance of “Something in the Water” and sung a duet with country star and Idol judge Keith Urban, she felt rival Kelly Clarkson got the better deal.

Clarkson, the first winner in Idol history and the show’s second most successful alum, was given a full segment on the program to perform a medley of her greatest hits.

“Carrie said she just felt like she should have gotten the same type of treatment that Kelly did since she is the big money-maker from the show,” a production source told Radar Online.

The source also alleged that Underwood was peeved about having to do the duet with Urban.

“Carrie caused serious drama with the final production of the show because she flipped out that she was stuck doing a duet when she has a tour and so many things to promote right now,” revealed the source.

Carrie, girl, you’re worth $ 75 million thanks to American Idol. Perhaps you can go back to your lavish home and designer boots and rest happy with that knowledge.

The long-running singing competition ended its run last night after 15 years on the air. Check out some of the highlights of the final Idol below:

View Slideshow: American Idol Finale: The Returns! The Performances! The Winner!

American Idol: 5 WGWG Winners Pay to Tribute David Bowie!

Phillip Phillips, Lee DeWyze, David Cook, Kris Allen and Nick Fradiani paid tribute to David Bowie during the American Idol finale.

Why were these five winners chosen to perform together?

They all fall under the “white guy with guitar” – also known as “WGWG” – designation, dudes who look and sound roughly the same and had a stranglehold over the show"s fan base pretty much the whole time.

Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe told The Hollywood Reporter:

“I promise you, if they went out on tour, and each did 20 minutes in their own right and 20 minutes together, this is a sell-out tour, they’re so good together. The WGWG tour.”

They did sound pretty good …

American Idol Finale: Who Returned? Who Performed?

Carrie Underwood stopped by. 

So did Jennifer Hudson, Simon Cowell and even President Barack Obama… sort of.

There were plenty of memorable moments from the American Idol series finale, even before Trent Harmon was crowned the winner.

Who put on the best performance? Whose return took you most by surprise? What stood out to you the most, for either a good reason or a very bad one?

Relive the American Idol finale below…

1. Co-Hosts Reunite

That’s Brian Dunkleman. The original American Idol co-host came out on the finale and hugged Ryan Seacrest.

2. President Obama Addresses American Idol Viewers

President Barack Obama made a video appearance on the American Idol series finale. Yes, THAT President Barack Obama!

3. Kara DioGuardi, Tamyra Gray and Jordin Sparks Sing a Medley

Kara DioGuardi, Tamyra Gray and Jordin Sparks all returned to the American Idol stage to sing a medley of pop hits on the series finale.

4. Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban Duet

Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban! On one stage! Check out their performance on the American Idol finale.

5. William Hung Bangs Again!

William Hung just had to Bang one more time. Check out his return here to American Idol.

6. American Idol Acoustic Medley

American Idol broke it down for this finale performance. Watch Amber, Carly, Casey, Clay, Jessica, Katherine and Ruben perform without the help of any instruments.

View Slideshow

American Idol Finale: Who Returned? Who Performed?

Carrie Underwood stopped by. 

So did Jennifer Hudson, Simon Cowell and even President Barack Obama… sort of.

There were plenty of memorable moments from the American Idol series finale, even before Trent Harmon was crowned the winner.

Who put on the best performance? Whose return took you most by surprise? What stood out to you the most, for either a good reason or a very bad one?

Relive the American Idol finale below…

1. Co-Hosts Reunite

That’s Brian Dunkleman. The original American Idol co-host came out on the finale and hugged Ryan Seacrest.

2. President Obama Addresses American Idol Viewers

President Barack Obama made a video appearance on the American Idol series finale. Yes, THAT President Barack Obama!

3. Kara DioGuardi, Tamyra Gray and Jordin Sparks Sing a Medley

Kara DioGuardi, Tamyra Gray and Jordin Sparks all returned to the American Idol stage to sing a medley of pop hits on the series finale.

4. Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban Duet

Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban! On one stage! Check out their performance on the American Idol finale.

5. William Hung Bangs Again!

William Hung just had to Bang one more time. Check out his return here to American Idol.

6. American Idol Acoustic Medley

American Idol broke it down for this finale performance. Watch Amber, Carly, Casey, Clay, Jessica, Katherine and Ruben perform without the help of any instruments.

View Slideshow

American Idol Results: And the FINAL Winner Is...

The final piece of confetti has dropped.

The final tears have fallen from Jennifer Lopez’s eyes. And Ryan Seacrest has signed off for the final time.

Indeed, following 15 seasons of highs and lows… missed notes and perfect notes… judges who flirted and judges who nearly came to blows… American Idol signed off for good on Thursday night.

The two-plus hour event included a return from familiar faces such as Randy Jackson and Kelly Clarkson, the latter of whom sang a medley of her greatest hits.

There was also a David Bowie tribute, appearances by Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia and even President Obama recorded a message to be played over video.

But there was last piece of business to conduct prior to saying goodbye: selecting a winner!

Would it be Trent Harmon, the soulful 25-year old from Armory, Mississippi?

Or would it be La’Porsha Renae, the 22-year old who also hails from Mississippi and whose emotion pours through with every performance?

And the champion is…

View Slideshow: 14 Awesomest American Idol Alums

… TRENT HARMON!

“I worked so hard. I know that I had a God-given ability, but I didn’t want to take it for granted,” Harmon said through years to conclude the show. “I wanted to work so hard, and [Renae] pushed me to do it.”

So there you have it. 

What do you think, fans? Who SHOULD have won the final season of American Idol?

Trent HarmonLa’Porsha Renae

View Poll »

American Idol Season Finale: Who Should Win?

The final season of American Idol is down to its final two contestants.

On the last performance show in the history of this once-beloved series, Trent Harmon, La’Porsha Renae and Dalton Rapatton gave it all they had in their concluding auditions before the judges.

Each hopeful kicked off his or her set with his or her debut single, as Trent fired up the crowd with “Falling,” Dalton went with “Strike a Match” and Renae dropped “Battles” on viewers.

All were great.

But La’Porsha was so inspiring that we’d do pretty much anything she asked of us at the moment.

Soon after these renditions, the voters were counted and Rapatton was sent packing, simply saying that the American Idol journey had been “amazing” for him.

American Idol creator Simon Fuller then selected “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” for Trent to sing, while La’Porsha was given “A House Is Not a Home.”

And Jennifer Lopez didn’t even try to hide her feelings; she came right out and admitted that La’Porsha won the round.

Finally, the two finalists were left to belt out versions of whatever songs they desired.

Harmon selected “Chandelier” by Sia, with Harry Connick Jr. telling the contestant that he “could not have sang [it] more beautifully.”

He also said that Trent deserves to win the whole thing.

But we’re not sure if we agree, not after La’Porsha received a standing ovation for her take on Rihanna’s “Diamonds.”

Where do you stand on the impressive finalists? Who should win American Idol Season 15?

Trent HarmonLa’Porsha Renae

View Poll »

Both of these artists clearly have talent. Both deserve a place in the photo gallery below when all is said and done.

But we’ll find out tonight whether Trent Harmon or La’Porsha Renae takes home the title.

View Slideshow: 14 Awesomest American Idol Alums

14 Awesomest American Idol Alums

American Idol is about to complete one of the most successful runs any series has ever had in TV history.

It produced record ratings for a couple of years, while also churning out memorable judges, incredible performances and, of course, a handful of talented singers.

Not every one of the contestants chosen below won their respective seasons.

But each won our heart for a variety of reasons, from their voices to their looks to their personality. Who is your all-time favorite American Idol finalist?

1. Kelly Clarkson

All hail queen Kelly! The original American Idol winner has a powerhouse voice and hits galore. And her daughter is SO cute!

2. Carrie Underwood

Bona fide country star Carrie Underwood remains one of Idol’s most popular and successful products. She’s won multiple Grammys and she’s gorgeous.

3. Phillip Phillips

Season 11’s victor Phillip Phillips not only has the same first and last name, his song home is the best-selling American Idol single!

4. Fantasia Barrino

Fantasia has starred on Broadway numerous times and can call herself a Grammy winner.

5. Paul McDonald

Season 11’s folk-rock crooner Paul is a mega-talent. Plus, he was once to married Twilight star Nicki Reed. They got divorced, but nice catch!

6. Kellie Pickler

Country cutie Kellie Pickler giggled her way into America’s hearts on season 5. She is also a Dancing With The Stars winner!

View Slideshow

Trent Harmon Blows Away Judges on American Idol

Trent Harmon has advanced all the way to the final eight contestants on American Idol.

But the 25-year old waiter from Mississippi has seemingly received more attention over the past few weeks for his facial expressions that his actual voice.

The guy is unafraid to emote, that"s for sure.

But Harmon stepped up and performed a version of "When a Man Loves a Woman" on Thursday night, making it nearly impossible for anyone to discuss anything except his strong chances of winning.

"I love your voice and I particularly love it on high sustained notes," judge Harry Connick Jr. told Harmon. "It’s such a great gift and you do it so well

Jennifer Lopez, meanwhile, told Trent not to change anything at all about his performances.

“Listen, it’s you," she said. "The faces are you. The vibratos are you."

Lopez went on to compare Harmon to La’Porsha Renae, who she had previous labeled as the one to beat on the final season of American Idol.

But this may now be a two horse singer race!

Does Harmon really stand a chance? Can you focus on his singing over his facial expressions?

Check out his Top 8 audition below and prepare to be blown away:

Kelly Clarkson Brings Everyone to Tears on American Idol

The original remains the best, people.

Even after all these years, even after all these champions and memorable contestants on American Idol, Kelly Clarkson returned to the show on Thursday night and reminded everyone that the bar was set impossibly high on the very first season.

For pure emotion… for raw talent… for everything awesome about celebrity, you simply cannot top Kelly Clarkson.

The beloved artist took to the Idol stage just a few weeks before the show says goodbye forever and choked up while singing "Piece by Piece."

"I"m pregnant and it"s nostalgic and I can"t believe it"s the last season," the expectant mother said in reaction to her reaction when speaking to Ryan Seacrest afterward. "Yeah, really sorry I just bawled."

No reason to apologize, Kelly.

This is why we love you.

Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez were also brought to tears by Clarkson’s performance, as was pretty much anyone with a pulse.

Clarkson, who is seven weeks away from giving birth to a sibling for daughter River Rose, also cried back in August when singing this same song, announcing to the crowd at the time that she was pregnant as an explanation for her emotional state.

Watch Kelly make her final American Idol appearance below, but be warned:

You"re going to want to do so with a box of tissues by your side.

MacKenzie Bourg Says Something, Blows Away American Idol Judges

Things have turned serious on American Idol.

We"re long past the point of silly auditions and headline-making stunts such as Kanye West jokingly trying out for the show.

The Top 24 has been named. The semifinals are on. And each week is bringing us closer and closer to naming the final American Idol champion.

Might it be MacKenzie Bourg?

After impressing the panelists with an original song during Hollywood Week, the former The Voice contestant took at aim the Top 14 on Wednesday night via a rendition of “Say Something.”

He played guitar on this moving A Great Big World ballad and received the following praise from Jennifer Lopez as a result:

"It felt like you felt really good up there. Very natural. You did what MacKenzie does, and that’s exactly what you need to do."

Harry Connick, Jr., meanwhile, praised Bourg for connecting with the lyrics, taking note of how the aspiring artist poured his heart into the song.

“I also liked that you changed the melody but you still kept the integrity of the song," he said, while Keith Urban noted that if this was Bourg’s own track, “I believed every bit of it. It was a really good song choice."

See if you agree and if you think MacKenzie Bourg a shot to win the whole thing:

American Idol: Meet Your Top 24!

1. Shelbie Z.

Shelbie Z is 23 years old and hails from: Sumiton, Alabama. She’s a member of the American Idol Top 24.

2. Sonika Vaid

Sonika Vaid is 20 years old and this American Idol hopeful hails from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

3. Jeneve Rose Mitchell

How cute is Jeneve Rose Mitchell?!? This member of the American Idol Top 24 is only 15 years old.

4. Emily Brooke

Emily Brooke is only 16 years. The American Idol hopeful is from Wellington, Florida.

5. Jenna Renae

Jenna Renae is from Williamson, New York. She really wants to win American Idol Season 15.

6. MacKenzie Bourg

MacKenzie Bourg is a 23-year old hopeful on American Idol Season 15. He’s from Lafayette, Louisiana.

View Slideshow

Olivia Rox on American Idol: Do We Have a Winner?

Okay, yes, we know.

It"s a tad early.

It"s a bit too soon to be crowning an American Idol champion for Season 15, considering there have been two whole episodes worth of auditions so far.

Still, we"re gonna go ahead and call it now: Olivia Rox is going to win!

Maybe!

It’s hard not to be excited over the 16-year old after she tried out in San Francisco and told the judges that she had watched American Idol since she was a “whippersnapper.”

She was in clearly in awe of Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban, but Rox didn"t let nerves get in the way of an incredible performance.

The teenager and her pink highlights sat a piano and gave us a bluesy, powerful cover of Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man," which prompted Connick, Jr. to refer to her as an “extraordinarily talented kid."

Olivia received unanimous approval from all three panelists afterward and is on her way to Hollywood.

She also praised the inaugural American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson at the outset of her audition, which actually caused the beloved artist to Tweet afterward:

"Olivia, we have got to meet! So flattered that such a talented girl likes anything I’ve ever done."

So… yeah. Olivia Rox is clearly a winner already.

Watch snippets from her inspiring audition now: