Entertainment Music Pop Music Kelly Clarkson Forgot the 22nd Anniversary of Her American Idol Win: 'Didn't Even Realize What Day It Was' Clarkson won the first season of 'American Idol' in 2002 By Jack Irvin Jack Irvin Jack Irvin has over five years of experience working in digital journalism, and he’s worked at PEOPLE since 2022. Jack started in the industry with internships at Rolling Stone and Entertainment Tonight, and he worked as a freelance writer for publications including Bustle, MTV News, Shondaland, L’Officiel USA, Ladygunn, Flood and PopCrush before joining PEOPLE. In his current role, Jack covers daily music news and has interviewed both up-and-coming and established artists including Dolly Parton, Michelle Branch, Ashanti, Cyndi Lauper, Normani, Carly Rae Jepsen and Coco Jones. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 4, 2024 06:20PM EDT Comments Kelly Clarkson. Photo: KellyClarksonTV/X Kelly Clarkson has a lot more on her plate these days than when she won American Idol in 2002. The "Miss Independent" singer, 42, won the hit reality singing competition series' debut season 22 years ago on Sept. 4, a fact she was reminded of by a staffer named Andy from The Kelly Clarkson Show in a hilarious video. "Hey Kel, it’s September 4th," said Clarkson's colleague in the clip, shared to the NBC talk series' social media accounts. Kelly Clarkson Shares Emotional Post on 20th Anniversary of 'Priceless' 'American Idol' Win "It is September 4th," the Grammy winner replied nonchalantly. "On this day 22 years ago…," Andy continued, before Clarkson erupted in laughter. "Oh my God," she said. "When you said that date, I got nervous, like, ‘Did I miss an anniversary?’ I did!" "22 years since winning American Idol," reflected Clarkson. "You know what? And I'm back on TV. Who would’ve thought?" Kelly Clarkson’s Furniture and Home Decor Is Up to 74% Off at Wayfair’s Labor Day Sale American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson sings after winning the contest on Sept. 4, 2002. Kevin Winter/Getty The "Since U Been Gone" performer acknowledged the "exciting" moment before explaining why she "forgot" about the anniversary. "I didn’t even realize what day it was. I’m worried about my kids’ first day of school, which is tomorrow," she said. Clarkson previously reflected on her American Idol win at-length around the milestone 20th anniversary in 2022, writing on Instagram that the triumph "forever changed the course of my life." Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Kelly Clarkson on "American Idol" on July 16, 2002. Kevin Winter/ImageDirect/FOX Kelly Clarkson's Kellyoke Covers Will Now Stream on Her SiriusXM Channel: 'People Have Been Asking Me Nonstop' "That moment was the door that opened up so much access and opportunity, and creative partnerships that I will be grateful for all of my days," she continued. "The family and friendships I have created over these 20 years in music and tv are priceless to me." Clarkson added, "We only get so many trips around the sun and while I am proud and feel abundantly blessed of the successes and failures that I have learned from, I am most proud and grateful for those friends that have become family, and for their arms that have held me when I needed it and their hearts that listened to me when I felt lost." "Without them I would not be where I am. I would probably not be here at all," she said at the time. Close