Kelly Clarkson

Brother: Jason (b. 1973), sister: Alyssa (b. 1976).

Originally wanted to be a marine biologist but changed her mind when she saw the movie Jaws (1975).

According to her account on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (1986) (20 March 2009), the singer owns 7 dogs and 12 horses.

Was an extra on the show "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" (1996).

Graduated from Burleson High School, Burleson, Texas in 2000.

Beat out more than 10,000 people to land a $1 million recording contract on "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" (2002).

She won the first "American Idol" contest, September 4, 2002. Her first single came out in late September of that year.

Sang the National Anthem at The Day of Service in Washington D.C., on September 11, 2002.

As of July 2005, she is the top-selling "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" (2002) contestant, having sold approximately five million albums in the U.S. and having had five Top 10 singles.

Is the only "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" (2002) winner to hold the title less than a year. This is because season one aired in June and the show began again the next spring.

Kelly stayed up all night before her "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" (2002) audition so she wouldn't sleep through the alarm, which she frequently did in high school.

Has twice broken the Billboard Hot 100 record for a song's biggest leap to #1. First with "A Moment Like This" in 2002 (52-1) & in 2009 with "My Life Would Suck Without You" (97-1).

Came in second place in World Idol (2003) (TV).

Avril Lavigne co-wrote her new single 'Breakaway' which is on the soundtrack for The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004).

Ranked as #92 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement (2005).

Ranked #92 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World (2005).

Won the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance ('Since U Been Gone') and Best Pop Vocal Album ('Breakaway') at the Grammy Awards on February 8th 2006. Kelly also performed "Because of You" at the ceremony and received a standing ovation.

Named #50 in FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement. (2006).

Fired her manager, Jeff Kwatinetz, in early 2007.

Performed "Ave Maria" for Pope Benedict XVI on April 19, 2008. This took place at St. Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers, New York.

Video for "My Life Would Suck Without You" placed number #6 on VH1's Top 40 Videos of 2009.

Video for "I Do Not Hook Up" placed number #25 on VH1's Top 40 Videos of 2009.

Peformed "Everybody's Got Their Something" at the 2010 'America Celebrates the Fourth of July' at the Ford Theatre in Washington D.C.