Kelly Brianne Clarkson was born on April 24, 1982. She is a famous American novelist, singer, songwriter, and actor. She is well-known for her television appearances. After winning the inaugural season of American Idol in 2002, she rocketed to popularity.
Her debut single, “A Moment Like This” topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Clarkson parted relations with Idol management and shifted her focus to pop-rock for her second studio album, Breakaway, released in 2004.
Kelly Clarkson – I Will Always Love You (Live from the 57th ACM Awards)
“Breakaway” “Since U Been Gone” “Behind These Hazel Eyes” and “Because of You.” all charted in the top ten in the United States, earning Breakaway two Grammy Awards.
Clarkson’s fourth and fifth studio albums, respectively, ‘All I Ever Wanted’ and ‘Stronger,’ became her second and third number-one albums in the United States. She made history by being the first vocalist to win two Grammy Awards for Best Pop Vocal Album.
Clarkson has been labeled “one of pop music’s greatest singers” by Billboard. Her voice also earned her the Powerhouse Award. She was ranked as the nineteenth greatest lady in music on VH1’s list of the 100 Greatest Women in Music.
Role models
Clarkson was originally motivated to pursue music when she was eight years old. This was after a visit to an African-American church in Fort Worth. “I was like, ‘Wow, whatever they’re feeling, I want to feel it too’.” she recounted. Clarkson has been inspired by performers from a wide range of musical genres.
Aretha Franklin, the soul singer, had a significant influence on her. Many of her Idol songs were Aretha Franklin’s covers, including “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” It is widely regarded as her breakout performance.
Rock bands like Radiohead, Garbage, Aerosmith, and Jimi Hendrix, as well as Reba McEntire, Bette Midler, and Rosemary Clooney, influenced Clarkson. Clarkson defined her musical influences as follows:
“I grew up with three totally different parents that were into different music. My stepfather is into Willie Nelson and Elvis and all that kind of stuff. And my real father is into Mariah and Whitney and Aretha, all those soulful singers. My mom is into more, like, adult contemporary—Celine Dion, Barbra [Streisand], Bette Midler, all those types of things. And then my brother is a big influence on me. He’s like ten years older than me, so you always wanna be around your cool brother and hang out, so I grew up loving Guns N’ Roses. I was all about Metallica. I was all about all those bands, and I still am. I love Aerosmith and No Doubt. I have so many influences on me that are so different. And even country. I love Reba McEntire. I could listen to her all the time.”
Kelly Clarkson as a philanthropist
Clarkson sang “Idol Gives Back” with Jeff Beck at “Up to the Mountain” in April 2007, a fundraiser for those in poverty in Africa and the United States. Later that year, she would play a five-song performance on the American leg of the Live Earth events. It focused on environmental awareness and climate change.
Kelly Clarkson sings Up To The Mountain in Idol gives back
Clarkson also became associated with the group “Houses of Hope” which provides care and builds orphanages for children in South Africa. It is generally for children who are orphaned due to HIV/AIDS, abuse, or poverty. She has visited the children and performed in the “A Night for Hope” fund-raiser event (hosted by Clarkson’s backup vocalists, Jill and Kate. There she played “You Still Won’t Know What It’s Like” a song she penned after her journey to South Africa.
On March 1, 2013, Clarkson took part in a benefit concert in support of the Omaha-based Opportunity Education Foundation. It provides access to education for children all over the world. According to a press release, “Education was a key part of my childhood, and I am better for it. Anything for education I am really into and especially for kids. A lot of people don’t have computers, and they can’t afford them. Without education, you get far behind. As long as they have a chance, you know, I think that’s important. I want every kid to have a chance.”
Family
Kelly Brianne Clarkson is the daughter of Jeanne Ann (née Rose), a first-grade English teacher, and Stephen Michael Clarkson, a retired engineer. She is the youngest of three children, with a brother named Jason and a sister named Alyssa.
Clarkson has two younger half brothers from her father’s second marriage. Her brother went to live with his father when her parents divorced when she was six years old, her sister with an aunt, and she stayed with her mother. Clarkson’s mother was remarried by Jimmy Taylor afterward.
Kelly Clarkson was a devoted Southern Baptist as a child. As she has noted, “I always grew up in church. I was the leader of our youth group. I’ve always grown up pretty close to the church and with God. But I think I’ve just gotten a lot closer just because He’s the only one I can lean on.” “My family was highly conservative; I had to go to church on Sunday and Wednesday.” she later stated of her upbringing.
