Kelly Clarkson recently shared her insights regarding the reactions from some individuals in the entertainment industry to her iconic victory on American Idol, highlighting how several of them subsequently transitioned to working on various reality music competitions.

Kelly Clarkson Reflects on Her Groundbreaking American Idol Victory

During a candid conversation on Kylie Kelce’s Not Gonna Lie podcast (as reported by People), Clarkson reminisced about her landmark American Idol win in 2002, marking her as the first champion of a show that would evolve into a significant element of pop culture. Clarkson revealed that, at the time, many within the music industry were not particularly welcoming to the concept of a reality talent show like American Idol, which was unprecedented and controversial.

Clarkson expressed her feelings of isolation, recalling that she felt she had “no one” supporting her during her victory and noted that the reactions from industry insiders were quite harsh. In a twist of irony, she humorously pointed out that those same individuals, whom she chose not to name, later became judges or coaches on shows like The Voice, showcasing a shift in their attitudes towards talent competitions.

Reflecting on her experience, Clarkson stated, “I had no one. I was the first winner,” adding, “It was hard. Not to sound like, whatever, it was really hard.” She continued, “People were really mean. The people that were really harsh about talent shows eventually became coaches. You know what I’m saying? They once despised talent shows and now they’re on The Voice.”

Clarkson elaborated, “It’s like, okay. But people were really cruel at first. They didn’t like it. The talent shows took the industry by storm, but it was initially met with disdain from many in the industry who felt it was unworthy of recognition.” This confrontation with negativity underlined the challenges faced by a pioneering show that eventually gained immense popularity.

Today, Clarkson finds the entire experience “hilarious,” especially considering how programs such as American Idol, The Voice, America’s Got Talent, and others have transformed into some of the most enduring and beloved television shows in the United States, captivating audiences for years.