Kelly Clarkson is preparing to return to the Idol stage as a guest performer, just as the contestants are narrowed down to eight. Clarkson was the original voice (and character) who gave American Idol its flare, making it a household name. It has been nearly a decade since that first season.
Last Wednesday
Last week, Kelly Clarkson wowed the crowd with her top hits on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, leading with her 2003 hit “Miss Independent,” and later rocking through “Walk Away” and “Since U Been Gone.”
Clarkson Sets the Standard
According to Nielson SoundScan, Clarkson is the highest-selling American Idol winner, with 23 million albums and 36 million singles sold. This year’s top contestants like Scotty McCreery and James Durbin have high hopes for their musical careers, and aim for successes like that of Clarkson or Carrie Underwood. This week, they will have the opportunity to experience Clarkson’s stage presence in person, as well as a rumored performance by Rihanna.