Overview
- Speaking on Rolling Stone Music Now, Cowell recalled Clarkson’s 2002 win as “like a movie” and praised her as an “amazing” singer with a “killer voice.”
- He said early auditions left him fearing the show “could be a disaster” because the first cities produced little standout talent.
- Cowell maintained Justin Guarini was not a serious threat in the finale and said he wished Tamyra Gray had faced Clarkson instead.
- Clarkson’s career since her win includes several platinum albums, three Grammy Awards, and seven Emmys for The Kelly Clarkson Show.
- He has long credited her breakthrough with validating American Idol’s premise, reiterating praise he also shared at her 2022 Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.