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# Kelly Clarkson Marks 20 Years Since Winning 'American Idol'
- URL: https://celebritykind.ghost.io/kelly-clarkson-20-years/
- Published: 2022-09-05T07:38:55.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-30T03:43:41.000Z
- Author: Celebritykind
- Tags: Gratitude, Kelly Clarkson, #Migrated-1790725431459, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-09-29 23:45

It's been 20 whole years since **Kelly Clarkson** burst onto our screens, won *American Idol* and changed the course of her life forever....

In a [post](https://www.instagram.com/p/CiG9TGKrnsJ/?ref=celebritykind.ghost.io) to her 6.1 million Instagram followers, the singer and television host is not only reflecting on how much her life has changed since that iconic moment, but also the incredible friendships she's made along the way:

"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," Kelly writes.

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"The family and friendships I have created over these 20 years in music and TV are priceless to me. 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."

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Kelly, who was up against fellow contestant **Justin Guarini** in the *American Idol* finale in 2002, ends her message by thanking everyone who voted for her at the time:

"Thank you to every single person that voted 20 years ago! Thank you! Thank you! I hope all of you have people in your lives that fill you with laughter, and hope, and happiness, and if you don't feel like you have that, then keep searching because I promise you they're looking for you too."

*(Feature Image Credit: DFree/Shutterstock)*