Kelly Clarkson Mistakenly Declares Clay Aiken the Winner of 'American Idol' Season 2

During an interview on her talk show, Clarkson humorously apologized to Ruben Studdard after forgetting he won the second season of the singing competition.

Kelly Clarkson mistakenly claimed Clay Aiken won 'American Idol' Season 2 during an interview with Aiken on her talk show.
Aiken, who was runner-up to Ruben Studdard in 2003, gently corrected Clarkson, leading to her humorous on-air apology to Studdard.
Clarkson explained her mix-up, attributing it to the passage of time and her perception that Aiken and Studdard were on different seasons.
The two reminisced about their 2004 co-headlining tour, with Clarkson joking that Aiken was the bigger draw despite not winning the show.
Aiken, now returning to music after a hiatus, reflected on his close friendship with Studdard and their collaborations over the years.