Kelly Clarkson is still waiting for the prizes she was promised for winning American Idol all the way back in 2002!
Earlier this week, Kelly sat down with Rob Rausch to discuss his winning the most-recent season of The Traitors. When asked about the $220,800 prize Rob got for winning the show, he revealed to Kelly that he still hasn’t received his prize money. This struck a nerve with Kelly, who replied that she “[relates] to this so hardcore” because she has also yet to receive her prizes from winning the first season of “American Idol” in 2002.
“I literally was on the show, and they were like, ‘Oh, you win a million dollars’ or whatever,” she explained. “No, you didn’t. It was, like, a million dollars’ worth of investment in you.”
(For those who don’t know, all “American Idol” winners are advertised to receive a recording contract and a cash prize. Most seasons, the cash prize was $250,000, but certain seasons, like Season 1, touted a $1 million prize. The show also partnered with Ford to offer cars as part of the winners’ packages while it aired on FOX.)
The show also promised Kelly a car, which she didn’t receive either.
“And then they said you get a car, and I needed it ‘cause my car was bashed in, and I couldn’t afford the deductible,” she said.
“I did not get a car!” she shouted.
After not receiving her car, Kelly said she was even more upset to find out later that Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken received a new set of wheels, as did his mother, randomly.
“I was like, ‘What the f**k?’ I remember Clay telling me that the second season,” Kelly said. “He’s like, ‘Yeah, they gave my mom one.’ I was like, ‘I’m gonna actually kick your ass right now.’”
Actor Daniel Radcliffe— who was also a guest on the episode— chimed in to propose that “American Idol” retroactively pay Kelly whatever $1 million would be in today’s money. (According to the American Inflation Calculator, $1 million in 2002 is worth over $1.8 million in March 2026.)
“No, it was supposed to be the prize then, okay? It was supposed to be the prize then,” Kelly declared.
She directed her attention to Rob and warned him not to wait for his prize.
“That’s why I’m saying, you might not see it. You might not see it. But, you know, I hope you got enough TV time.”
Although the prizes have differed across the seasons, Kelly seems to be the only “Idol” winner to have not received any physical part of her prize. Season 19 winner Chayce Beckham told The Taste of Country Nights, On Demand podcast that, although he did receive the cash for winning in 2022, he didn’t receive all $1 million (most likely due to taxes) and didn’t receive a car or trophy at all.
FOX and the production company behind ‘American Idol’ have not commented on Kelly’s claims.
(Photos: NBC; FOX)
One Response
Seems to be a theme. Adrianne Curry never received her prize for winning the first season of America’s Next Top Model.