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Kelly Clarkson remembers twenty years and three tumultuous years after her epochal win on Season One of American Idol. Trying to be thankful for the lesser-forgotten voting fans, the singer expressed that this win served as a stepping stone into her career, really living out her purpose. This contemplative note caused a cascade of nostalgia and tears from the hardcore fan base.
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A truly heartfelt memory for Kelly Clarkson. The very first American Idol winner, after 20 years, goes back to sincerely thank those who started her life on the right track. “To everyone that took time 23 years ago to call in and vote for me, thank you,” she said. Clarkson continued to say that in a lifetime, it is rare to truly find your purpose and passion, and if you can somehow make money at that, then that is the cherry on top.
With that statement, the old and cherished ones stirred contrasting emotions in the hearts of people familiar with the first season. Many shared their memories in the comments while witnessing the first season live. One user shared a core memory: “Somehow I still remember your single, ‘A Moment Like This,’ and purchasing your very first album released after winning Idol.” Being there from the very start was a dominant notion expected in most responses.
Another user complimented the audience on it being history in the making. “The producers did not initially believe in you,” he wrote. “But we did.” That really speaks to the early days of reality TV and how the audience-votes directly influenced the show’s outcome, making Clarkson’s success feel actually earned by the public.
The very span of time itself became a subject for disbelief and reflection. “`23 years? I don’t believe you,’ one responded swayed by the emotion of the moment. `Where did time go?’ That reaction was far from unique—the anniversary cried out to the world: Kelly Clarkson has remained, this very moment, a fixture of the music and entertainment universe for too long already.”
Many in the audience stood as much testament to her excellence resting place as they did to her legacy: “To this day, you’re easily and bar none the best singer to ever come out of American Idol,” she said, “though I’d say Adam Lambert was a VERY close second.” From these bold declarations in common with others these responses expressed an opinion shared by many: that her win was far beyond a mere moment in the media spotlight; the name Clarkson was fixed in cement as an influential musician.
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… pic.twitter.com/FwnRrLniki
— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) September 4, 2025
The messages officialize the shared experience that her music initiates. “My mom and I both voted for you! We bonded over that first season of American Idol. As soon as she saw you, she knew you would win!” A person continues to recount how Clarkson’s win really affected her: “Your winning American Idol changed our lives as well. 20 years ago, my first job, my first paycheck, the first thing I bought for myself was your Breakaway album.”
The word of an ex-Justin Guarini supporter went on to be confirmed by many: “I called in for Justin then sat in my computer room and cried for an hour after he lost. But hindsight is 20/20, you deserved and truly impacted the world of music and entertainment!”
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An almost unanimous crowd response thus seemed to appear: Clarkson’s victory was a cultural moment to define a generation of viewers. Instead of just thanking the public, she started the collective memory that her fans very willingly accepted. Twenty years later, it was everybody asking for those thanks on both ends—on the artist’ and on the audience—that made Clarkson a star. No one ever questions her rise as the original Idol: her forever legacy.