Kelly Clarkson Says She Never Received a Car Award for Winning American Idol
Kelly Clarkson lifting the lid on him American Idol award more than 23 years after winning the first season.
The singer and talk show host revealed on Tuesday, March 10, the episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show that he did not receive the car he was promised as part of his prize. He made a revelation after that Traitors season 4 winner Rob Rauschhis guest on the episode, said he still hadn’t received his $220,800 grand prize for his win.
“I relate to this strong,” Clarkson, 43, told Rausch, 27. “You probably weren’t there when I was playing. American Idolbut I was literally on the show, and they were like, ‘Oh, you win a million dollars,’ or whatever. No, you didn’t. They lied. You didn’t, no. It was like a million dollar investment for you.” (The American Idol the prize at the time was a recording contract worth $1 million.)
Apart from the recording contract, Clarkson said he was also promised a car, but it happened.
Winning American Idol has been a dream for many singers, but the prizes have changed a lot over the years. Kelly Clarkson was awarded as the first winner of the singing competition in 2002. He reportedly walked away with a $1 million prize and a recording contract with RCA Records, per Parade. In addition to […]
“Then they said you are getting a car, and I needed it because my car was broken into and I can’t afford it. [insurance] deductible. And then, no! I couldn’t find the car!” Clarkson said.
“Then Clay Aikenwho did not win the second season, got a car – again [so did] his mother!” he said referring to American Idol season 2 came second. “I was like, ‘What the f***?’ I remember Clay telling me that the second season … he was like, ‘Yeah, they gave my mom one.’ I was like, ‘I’m actually going to kick your ass now.’
American Idol successful-turned-judge Carrie Underwood previously opened by receiving a convertible Ford Mustang following his season 4 win back in 2005. During the March 2023 interview. Today’s Country Radio With Kelleigh BannenUnderwood, 43, confirmed that he still has the car.
“I still have the car I won with when I won American Idol. So I have my blue Mustang,” said the singer, who is now part of the music scene Idol judging panel with Luke Bryan again Lionel Richie.
“It always makes me want to drive it more, because it was a very important point in my life,” he said. “That was the car I drove when I first moved to Tennessee, and I’m so glad I still have that car.”
Recently, the winner of season 16 Maddie Poppe revealed in a 2022 interview with Business Insider that he received $250,000 for his 2018 winnings.
“You get $250,000, but not because of taxes,” Poppe told the outlet. “And you get half of it before you finish your record, and then you get the other half after you finish the record. So it’s like a pre-recording deal, but I’m pretty sure I have to get it back.”
