Posted November 22, 200618 yr I tried and make a nice biography. I found 2 that sounded right to me. Feel free to add or adjust. As a child growing up in Burleson, Texas, singing was far from her choice career. Kelly wanted to become a marine biologist. Lucky for the rest of the world, she quickly changed her mind upon seeing "Jaws," because it was only a matter of time before her true talent and passion were unveiled for the rest of the world to see. Kelly's innate singing ability was first discovered in 7th grade after her junior high choral director heard her singing in the school hallway and encouraged her to sign up for the school choir. Up until that point, Kelly was considering joining the band! Kelly immersed herself in choral activities throughout high school, starring in musicals ("Brigadoon"), performing overseas, and earning top honors as a member of the Texas All-State Choir. Upon graduation, Kelly solidified her committment to music, working numerous jobs to finance her demo CD and market herself to record labels. Frustrated with the lack of results and unopened mail, she made her way to Los Angeles along with a friend, hoping for the best. While in L.A., she found odd jobs to help make ends meet and wound up getting a role as an extra on Sabrina the Teenage Witch. After answering a newspaper ad, she coincidentally hooked up with famed songwriter Gerry Goffin (("You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman") through a mutual friend and began recording vocal demos of his songs. Little did Kelly know that the same song Goffin was famous for, would later provide her with a moment of clarity as she worked to achieve her dream. Kelly's stay in Los Angeles was tragically cut short after Goffin grew ill, her apartment burned down, and her car got towed. Both emotionally and financially, Kelly was drained. She turned home to recuperate and re-energize herself before heading back to L.A. Shortly thereafter, her best friend, Jessica, presented her with paperwork for American Idol, FOX Television's national talent search competition/television show. Already jaded from an earlier stint on the WB's Popstars, Kelly was semi-reluctant, but signed the paperwork and went to the audition, hoping for the best. Before you could say "You're going to Hollywood," Kelly was there. After dozens of auditions, she found herself centerstage, among the top 30 contestants, and live on national television. Belting out an energized rendition of Aretha Franklin's "Respect," she captured the hearts (and votes) of people from all over the United States and advanced to the top 10 finals. Week after week, Kelly quietly gained ground, rising above the competition, enduring a whirlwind promotional calendar, in addition to the responsibility of preparing live performances every week. She was later provided with moment of clarity toward the middle of the competition. When asked what the greatest thing to come out of the American Idol experience was, Kelly said, "the best moment for me was when I realized that I actually really wanted this. This is a public life now, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to do that part of it...The defining point was during my performance of "Natural Woman." I was on stage and the crowd was just going crazy, and I was like, I think I can do this." It may have took Kelly a while to realize that she could handle it, but the American public showed no hesitation in casting their votes and naming Junior their American Idol on September 4, 2002. Moments later, she took to the stage for an emotional performance of her first single, "A Moment Like This," capping off the competition and reminding millions of viewers why they tuned into the show week after week--to watch people's dreams come true: "Oh I can't believe it's happening to me/Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this." On October 5th, 2002, "A Moment Like This," shot straight from No. 52 to No. 1 on the Billboard charts, eclipsing the 38-year record of "biggest leap to No. 1," previously held by the Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love," which went from No. 27 to No. 1 in 1964. Her full-length solo debut is slated for March 4, 2003, and already, Kelly is attracting famed songwriters and producers like Diane Warren and the team of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey). Kelly also has a desire to showcase her songwriting skills on her solo album as well. A No. 1 song, legions of fans, and an inner-drive that is unparalleled, Junior is on her way. Kelly Brianne Clarkson (born 24 April 1982) is an American singer who rose to fame on the U.S. television program American Idol. Born in the town of Burleson, Texas, Kelly Clarkson as a child aspired to be a marine biologist before the movie Jaws dissuaded her. In middle school, Clarkson 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 interested in a recording career, and, following her high school graduation, Kelly relocated to Los Angeles, California. Clarkson landed a job as a television extra in Los Angeles and worked briefly with songwriter Gerry Goffin. However, after her L.A. apartment burned down, she moved back to Texas, discouraged, but still intent on a career in showbusiness. Clarkson managed some odd jobs before her run on American Idol. In 2002, along with 10,000 others, Clarkson auditioned for the aforementioned television show, American Idol. Impressed by her voice and personality, the panel of judges put her through to the next round. Upon landing a final 30 spot, Kelly garnered praise from the judges with her rendition of Aretha Franklin's "Respect." She moved on to the final 12, receiving a #2 spot in her group of 10. On September 4, 2002 Clarkson won the competition, earning 58% of the audience vote in the final contest against Justin Guarini. She was the only contestant to have never landed in the bottom three. As the crowned American Idol, Clarkson performed a heartfelt and tearful "A Moment Like This" as confetti fell, her fellow contestants hugged her, and many watched in the Kodak Theatre and in their households. Clarkson's first single set an American record, rising on October 5th, 2002 from No. 52 to No. 1 on the Billboard charts (a record previously held by The Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love"). Her first full-length album, Thankful, was released on April 15, 2003. Kelly Clarkson starred with fellow American Idol contestant Justin Guarini in the 2003 box office flop From Justin to Kelly.
December 3, 200618 yr Yeah you did, thanks again Suus, your efforts in this forum and many others is extremely appreciated :D :cheer:
April 15, 200817 yr Here is Kelly's American Idol story told in videos. The actual winning moment had disappeared from Youtube :( Hopefully will be re-uploaded at some point. Enjoy :D First Audition: Dallas 'At Last' - Glenn Miller ztDgZnhAHWU 'Express Yourself' - Madonna 9rWe6iz884w&NR Hollywood: Round 1 (Top 121) 'Respect' - Aretha Franklin & Hollywood: Round 2 (Top 65) 'I Say A Little Prayer' - Dionne Warwick f5i1Srdbrs0 Hollywood: Round 3 (Top 45) 'Save The Best For Last' - Vanessa Williams 9sXJaoNS8nQ Studio: Semi-Final Group 2 (Top 30) 'Respect' - Aretha Franklin 3k6DfiCrA6I Studio: Motown Week (Top 10) 'You're All I Need' - Diana Ross 69bIUb99pLE Studio: 1960s Week (Top 8) '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman' - Aretha Franklin, Carole King Y6l59TTmPn0 Studio: 1970s Week (Top 7) 'Don't Play That Song' - Aretha Franklin sWsL4oDP-48 Studio: Big Band Week (Top 6) 'Stuff Like That There' - Betty Hutton 64S5Rn9mlxs Studio: Love Song Week (Top 5) 'Walk On By' - Dionne Warwick kX8PSsHiLE8 Studio: 1980s/1990s Week (Top 4) 'It's Raining Men' - Weather Girls Xzu_qAm1Acs 'I Surrender' - Celine Dion 6jU83nj2Qx0 Studio: Judges Week (Top 3) 'Think Twice' - Celine Dion nvRyTd_xePg 'Without You' - Badfinger nJ70OJw-VJg Studio: Finale Week (Top 2) 'Respect' - Aretha Franklin J4aWFcNAG9Q 'Before Your Love' Z6vxLYCAmys 'A Moment Like This' f9-yx5UKadg Studio: Crowned as American Idol 2002 'A Moment Like This' - Kelly Clarkson m61pmENSDyA
April 15, 200817 yr Updated with Kelly's Idol performances, taken from another thread made by JBM. Im trying to tidy the forum up a bit so thought Id merge the two.
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