American singer-songwriter who emerged as a pop-rock star after winning the popular television talent contest American Idol in 2002.

Clarkson grew up in Burleson, Texas, a suburb of Fort Worth, where her vocal prowess was first recognized by her school's choir teacher when she was a seventh grader. Upon finishing high school, Clarkson moved to Los Angeles, where she unsuccessfully tried to break into show business. In 2002, after returning to Texas, she became a contestant on the first season of Fox Broadcasting Company's American Idol, a singing competition that allowed viewers to vote for their favourite performer. Viewers were smitten with Clarkson's arresting voice, charisma, and humour. Her prize for winning the contest was $1 million dollars and a recording contract with RCA.

Just two weeks after her American Idol win, Clarkson released her first single, "A Moment Like This," which quickly achieved platinum status. Thankful, her debut album of pop songs, followed in 2003. Her second full-length album, Breakaway (2004), which moved beyond Clarkson's initial pop sound into a rock vein, sold more than 11 million copies worldwide and featured the hit singles "Because of You," "Behind These Hazel Eyes," and "Since U Been Gone." The album and "Since U Been Gone" also won Grammy Awards for best pop album and best pop vocal performance, respectively. Clarkson's third album, My December (2007), marked a new era in her career; even more rock-oriented then her previous releases, it was also more confessional, revealing a darker side of the prolific songwriter, who has cowritten most of her material.