Kelly Clarkson Timeline

April 24, 1982: Kelly Brianne Clarkson is born.

Aug. 28, 2002: Clarkson and Justin Guarini are declared the "final two" on American Idol, with Nikki McKibben being sent home.

Sept. 4, 2002: On the American Idol season finale, which attracts 22.8 million viewers, Clarkson is crowned the winner.

Sept. 26, 2002: Clarkson's Idol single, "A Moment Like This" shoots to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single sells 236,000 copies in its first week.

Dec. 12, 2002: An article in the New York Post says: "may have already had a recording contract -- and was in the middle of making a record for someone else -- when she showed up to audition for the show." This creates a controversy, as it would have made Clarkson ineligible to participate in Idol. The same day, Fox responds: "She did not breach any rules of the competition. She won the American Idol competition fairly and was rightfully chosen by the American public as their American Idol."