Kelly Clarkson Reflects on 23 Years Since Winning American Idol

In a recent social media post, Kelly Clarkson, the winner of the first season of American Idol, has expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the fans who supported her 23 years ago. Clarkson, who was crowned the show's inaugural champion, said that winning the competition "changed [her] life" and that she will be "forever grateful" for the people who took the time to vote for her.

The post comes just weeks after Clarkson announced that she was canceling future dates of her residency, "Studio Sessions," at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. At the time, Clarkson explained that she needed to be "fully present" for her children, as their father, her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, had been ill. Tragically, Blackstock passed away on August 7th from malignant melanoma, at the age of 48.

Since Blackstock's death, Clarkson has also stepped away from filming the upcoming season of the reality competition show The Voice, with Jennifer Hudson taking her place as a judge. Clarkson's focus now is on supporting her two children, daughter River Rose and son Remy, as they navigate this difficult time.