Look back at photos of Kelly Clarkson performing on stage, hitting the red carpet and more over the years.
Kelly Clarkson was the original winner of the very first American Idol in 2002. She has since gone on to become a Grammy winner, a global superstar, and one of the most versatile recording artists in the music industry, conquering pop, rock, country, and soul. Kelly found love with music manager Brandon Blackstock , and they married in a Tennessee ceremony in 2013. The couple welcomed two children together — daughter River Rose and son Remington — and Kelly embraced Brandon’s two children from a previous marriage. Unfortunately, Kelly and Brandon decided to end their relationship in 2020, finalizing their divorce after a lengthy legal battle that also included Kelly’s lawsuit over commissions he earned from business deals with her.
In August 2025, Kelly revealed she was postponing part of her Las Vegas residency to be present for their children amid Brandon’s private battle with cancer. His death was announced shortly after.
Scroll through the gallery to see more moments from Kelly’s life and career.
1 of 19
Kelly Clarkson at the 54th Annual ACM Awards
2 of 19
Kelly Clarkson’s Jersey Dress
3 of 19
Kelly Clarkson At NFL Honors
4 of 19
Kelly Clarkson With Her Kids at the Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony
5 of 19
Kelly Clarkson Reunites With ‘Idol’ Judges
6 of 19
Kelly Clarkson Reunites AI Judges Star Ceremony SS
7 of 19
‘American Idol’s original judges reunite on ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’
8 of 19
Kelly Clarkson performing at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards
9 of 19
Kelly Clarkson on the red carpet at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards
10 of 19
Kelly Clarkson at the ‘UglyDolls’ film premiere in LA
11 of 19
Kelly Clarkson sings the National Anthem At the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500
12 of 19
Kelly Clarkson performing on her ‘Meaning of Life’ tour.
13 of 19
Kelly Clarkson performs on ‘The Today Show
14 of 19
Kelly Clarkson performs at the iHeartRadio Music Festival.
15 of 19
Kelly Clarkson sings at the U.S. Open tennis tournament opening ceremony.
16 of 19
Kelly Clarkson rocks a black dress on ‘The Today Show’
17 of 19
Kelly Clarkson sings at the STX Films Presentation at CinemaCon
18 of 19
Kelly Clarkson performs on tour in 2019
19 of 19
Kelly Clarkson & Her Daughter
