Kelly Clarkson Remembers Performing in ‘Cow Manure’ After American Idol

Kelly Clarkson’s journey following her American Idol victory wasn’t as luxurious as some might imagine.

“After I won Idol, everyone thought, ‘Oh, she’s a millionaire.’ But that’s not how it was,” the 42-year-old singer revealed on the Thursday, March 27, episode of Kylie Kelce’s “Not Gonna Lie” podcast. “They mention million-dollar contracts, but that wasn’t my reality. They promised me a car, but I never received it. We were just setting up in fields, lugging our equipment.”

Clarkson noted that despite the excitement of winning, she had to continue to “hustle,” a mentality that has remained with her throughout her career.

“Being the first winner was a tough experience,” she said. “I don’t want to sound dramatic, but it truly was difficult. People were quite harsh.”

Clarkson launched her music career by competing in the inaugural season of American Idol, which aired in 2002. At the time of her audition, neither she nor her fellow contestants realized they were part of what would become a beloved television phenomenon.

“For those of us in that first season, it was different — we didn’t even recognize it as a TV show until the third audition,” she admitted. “We were just trying to manage our bills, honestly.”

As she advanced through the competition, Clarkson felt hopeful that something positive might come from it, ultimately leading her to win the show.

“We thought, ‘Maybe this will work out, or at least I might connect with someone.’ At that time, nobody had any idea it could lead to anything significant,” she recalled. “By the second season, contestants understood the potential as ‘Miss Independent’ had already made waves.”

After claiming the title of American Idol‘s first winner, Clarkson signed with RCA Records. In the fall of 2002, she and her fellow finalists embarked on a joint tour. Clarkson then released her debut single, “Miss Independent,” which became a worldwide success. This powerful anthem was certified gold and earned her the first of three Grammy nominations.

Clarkson continued to thrive, releasing a total of 10 studio albums and winning three Grammys. In 2018, she returned to the realm of singing competitions by joining The Voice as a coach. On Thursday, she explained how her previous experience with American Idol allows her to better connect with her team members.

“Every artist begins their journey in unique ways. For those of us who have experienced the audition process and the immediate judgment on perhaps our less-than-best performances, it can be intense,” she admitted. “It’s grueling and incredibly tough. The pressure is immense from the very start for these artists. I don’t believe many artists who sell millions of records could handle such scrutiny. It’s a different experience.”