On September 4 in 2002 Kelly Clarkson (b. 1982) became the first ever winner of the hit show American Idol (beating out over 120 contestants and 10,000 initial hopefuls). Over 22 million viewers watched as Clarkson beat runner up Justin Guarini for the win singing "Before Your Love" and "A Moment Like This".
Thirteen days later on September 17, 2002, her debut double-A-side single of the two previously mentioned songs was released debuting at No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, before reaching to No. 1. It broke a 38-year-old record set by the British band The Beatles for the biggest leap to No. 1 and was the best-selling single of 2002 in the United States.
Clarkson now has her own line of greeting cards sold exclusively at Walmart.
Public Domain Photo by Kathy Reesey |