Kelly Clarkson could be the inaugural winner of “American Idol,” however her data of the singing competitors sequence’ subsequent champions ― and different contributors ― appears to be slightly shaky.
On Monday, Clarkson welcomed fellow “American Idol” veteran Clay Aiken to “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” the place she proceeded to misidentify him because the Season 2 winner of “Idol” when, the truth is, he’d are available in second place behind Ruben Studdard.
The hilarious gaffe got here at the beginning of the interview as Clarkson was recalling how she and Aiken had been joint headliners on the 2004 Impartial Tour in help of their respective debut albums.
“I won the season before you, but we toured after you won,” she mentioned. “The Independent Tour, I think, is what it was called.”
Aiken shortly interjected with a correction, telling the host: “After I came in second.”
Ever the seasoned professional, Clarkson laughed off the slip-up.
“So sorry, Ruben! I totally remember that,” she mentioned. “Look, I’m 42, bro. OK, like, I forgot.”
Thankfully, Aiken didn’t appear too bothered.
“It’s been 20 years,” he instructed Clarkson. “We are both getting older.”
Watch a clip of Clay Aiken’s “Kelly Clarkson Show” look beneath.
Curiously, Clarkson truly carried out her hit single, “Miss Independent,” on the Season 2 finale of “American Idol” shortly earlier than it was introduced that Studdard had swept to victory.
Later within the present, she joined the 2 males ― in addition to the remainder of that season’s contestants ― for a efficiency of Barry Manilow’s “One Voice.” The episode aired Might 21, 2003.
Elsewhere in Monday’s chat, Clarkson shared just a few anecdotes in regards to the Impartial Tour, together with how she believes followers had been extra conscious of Aiken’s presence on stage than her personal.
“It was as if I didn’t exist,” she recalled. “You were … it was like Elvis was in the building every night. And you didn’t even have to win, you didn’t win and then people were losing it over you. It was so fun to watch.”
Steve Granitz through Getty Photos
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Aiken just lately unveiled “Christmas Bells Are Ringing,” a set of vacation songs that’s additionally his first studio album in 12 years. The album’s launch follows his foray into politics, which included two runs for Congress in his dwelling state of North Carolina in 2014 and 2022.
In his chat with Clarkson, Aiken mentioned he determined to return to music on the encouragement of his 16-year-old son, Parker.
“He wants me to leave as much as possible now,” he quipped, earlier than including: “Music can make people happier, and I thought the whole politics thing could improve people’s lives, but it doesn’t. Music does.”
