Kelly Clarkson

The first-ever American Idol, Kelly Clarkson won over America with her soulful voice, bubbly personality, and "small-town girl makes it big" story. After a dismal run at Hollywood after high school, the native Texan hightailed it back to Burleson, where she hawked Red Bull, movie tickets, and vacuum cleaners until friends convinced her to audition for Idol. The show catapulted Clarkson into the kind of career she'd spent years working (unsuccessfully) towards, but her debut album proved that America had voted correctly. The Idol-created "A Moment Like This" was a colossal hit, of course, and the album itself went multiplatinum and won Clarkson her first Grammy (for "Miss Independent").

For second album Breakaway, Clarkson did just that, cutting back on the good-girl bit, distancing herself from Idol's ickier aspects (From Justin to Kelly, anyone?) and striking off in a new direction: adult contemporary-approved rocker chick. Schlocky balladeering was usurped by hipper, edgier tracks cowritten with the likes of Ben Moody (formerly of Evanescence). The wildly successful album also earned Clarkson a reputation as a bona fide pop star.

With 15 million album sales under her belt, Clarkson released My December in 2007. Co-written by Clarkson, the album features her husky voice in darker contexts and presents a more honest reflection of the AI heroine. In fact, RCA tycoon Clive Davis deemed it too negative and offered her $10 million to scratch some of the songs. Nonetheless, Clarkson refused the sweetening and managed to keep all 14-tracks with RCA, standing by her efforts, even after she fired her manager and cancelled her summer 2007 tour because of flagging ticket sales.- Rachel Devitt

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