‘No You Didn’t’: Kelly Clarkson Thought the ‘American Idol’ Prize Was Hers Until It Showed Up in a Friend’s Hands and Left Her Seeing Red
Kelly Clarkson may be preparing to close the chapter on her hit daytime talk show, but before she walks away from the spotlight, the singer […] ‘No You Didn’t’: Kelly Clarkson Thought the ‘American Idol’ Prize Was Hers Until It Showed Up in a Friend’s Hands and Left Her Seeing Red
Black News 
Kelly Clarkson may be preparing to close the chapter on her hit daytime talk show, but before she walks away from the spotlight, the singer appears ready to revisit a few old grievances she’s kept tucked away for years.
Long before the Emmy wins and daytime success, the 43-year-old first shot to fame as the inaugural champion of “American Idol,” a victory that launched her into pop stardom almost overnight. The win opened plenty of doors — including a stint sitting in the judge’s chair on “The Voice.”
Yet one part of her “Idol” experience, she now suggests, didn’t play out as promised, hinting someone outright “lied” to her.
When Clarkson won the first season of “American Idol,” she likely did not foresee the various outcomes that followed. However, she noted that some of the rewards she had anticipated never came to pass.
On Tuesday, March 10, Clarkson brought actor and reality star Rob Rausch and “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe on her show, where she exposed what she received.
When Rausch revealed his disappointment about not receiving the $220,800 prize from “The Traitors” after winning season 4, Clarkson, with genuine understanding, confessed that she had on her own experience with “American Idol,” creating a moment of shared empathy.
Competition shows usually offer large prizes to winners, such as cash, vacations, or cars. This week, the “Since You Been Gone” singer blasted the show, revealing that she was promised two prizes but didn’t receive everything she was owed.
“You know what? I relate to this so hardcore,” she stated. “I literally was on the show, and they were like, ‘Oh, you win a million dollars’ or whatever.”
But, according to Clarkson, that wasn’t the full truth. “No, you didn’t, they lied” she said. “It was, like, a million dollars worth of investment in you.”
Then she said that she never saw the second prize either.
“And then they said you get a car, and I needed it ’cause my car was bashed in, and I couldn’t afford the deductible,” she continued. “I did not get a car.”
Clarkson claimed that to her surprise, Clay Aiken, who was the season 2 runner-up did get a car — and so did his mom.
“I was like what the f–k. I remember Clay telling me that the second season,” she said. “He’s like, ‘Yeah, they gave my mom one.’”
The “Harry Potter” star chimed in, saying, “There should be some system where if you win something on the first season of something, whatever the prize has become, you should retroactively get that.”
“No, it was supposed to be the prize then, OK? It was supposed to be the prize then,” Clarkson said. Then she warns Rausch, “That’s why I’m saying, you might not see it. You might not see it. But, you know, I hope you got enough TV time.”
Fans who were angry for Clarkson shared their reactions on The Shade Room.
One person said, “No way!!! Run that girl her money and her car!!!”
A second person shared what they would have done if they were in her shoes, “And I would’ve sued for false advertisement.”
Some other folks believe that even though she won nearly 24 years ago, she should still get her prize. But the blame was pushed upon the judges, Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul.
“Another reason to dislike Simon Cowell,” wrote one person while another said, “Not surprised by this. The only people getting paid are the hosts. Hope this changes with Kelly’s admission of their lies.”
Even though Clarkson didn’t receive her vehicle, Carrie Underwood — who won season 4 of the show — did receive a Mustang. Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips was also awarded a brand-new car: a 2013 Ford Fusion, which he gave to his parents, and he opted to continue driving his 2001 Ford Ranger truck.
But Clarkson may still want what she was promised.
