This Day in History: <br />Kelly Clarkson Wins <br />First 'American Idol' September 4, 2002 Millions of home-viewers <br />cast their vote by phone for the <br />20-year-old Texan in the first <br />season of the hit singing contest. A former cocktail waitress, <br />Clarkson won a record contract <br />as the first American Idol. She would move on to an <br />extraordinarily successful music <br />career, selling millions of albums. Based on Britain's 'Pop Idol,' <br />'American Idol' was picked <br />up by Fox after being rejected <br />by several other networks. The show became one <br />of the most popular in the <br />U.S., generating several <br />other popular talent contests. Other 'American Idol' contestants <br />include Academy Award winner <br />Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, <br />Taylor Hicks and Chris Daughtry.
