The winner of Fox TV's first American Idol: The Search for a Superstar competition during the summer of 2002, Kelly Clarkson went from an anonymous talent to a nationally known singer, performing for an audience of millions of viewers. One of the show's most naturally gifted singers, the 20-year-old Burleson, TX, native's vocal talents were... [+] Read More

Yes No

1 out of 1 people agree

Kimberley Locke was born and raised in Tennessee. She grew up singing, both in church and for fun, and by high school was a member of her school's singing and performance group. Locke studied business at Nashville's Belmont University and sang in various local bands before friends and family encouraged her to try out for American Idol's 2003... [+] Read More

Yes No

1 out of 1 people agree

Partway through the second American Idol in early 2003, guest judge Gladys Knight christened corpulent crooner Ruben Studdard a "Velvet Teddy Bear," a nod to his smooth, Luther Vandross-styled voice and his Barry White-sized girth. It was a nickname that stuck, since it captured the persona of the 25-year old Birmingham, Alabama native who had... [+] Read More

Yes No

1 out of 1 people agree

As the runner-up to Fox TV's second American Idol: The Search for a Superstar competition, vocalist Clay Aiken wowed television audiences in 2003 with his Southern charm, sweet demeanor, and bright, glorious voice, and became a pop star. Originally, Aiken planned to try out for the reality TV series The American Race, but went ahead and... [+] Read More

Yes No

0 out of 1 people agree

American Idol finalist Corey Clark began his musical career at the age of 12 singing backup for Barry Manilow. Born into a musical family -- both his parents were singers as well -- on July 13, 1980, in San Bernardino, CA, Clark formed his first singing group in high school. Envy, as they were called, won numerous talent contests in the late... [+] Read More

Yes No

0 out of 1 people agree

The runner-up to Kelly Clarkson on Fox TV's first American Idol: The Search for a Superstar competition, curly-haired heartthrob Justin Guarini managed to win the hearts of millions of teenage girls, if not the entire contest. Born in Columbus, GA, Guarini began singing with the Atlanta Boys Choir at the tender age of four, and also performed... [+] Read More

Yes No

0 out of 1 people agree

As the runner-up to Fox TV's second American Idol: The Search for a Superstar competition, vocalist Clay Aiken wowed television audiences in 2003 with his Southern charm, sweet demeanor, and bright, glorious voice, and became a pop star. Originally, Aiken planned to try out for the reality TV series The American Race, but went ahead and... [+] Read More

Yes No

Only 16 and a junior in high school in Snellville, GA, Diana DeGarmo was the youngest finalist of American Idol 2004, but you wouldn't have guessed it from her powerful, confident voice. Growing up a show-biz kid surely helped. DeGarmo had been in Atlanta-based productions of Annie and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at a young age... [+] Read More

Yes No

Praised as much for her wide vocal range and passionate delivery as she was for her elegant style, Tamyra Gray was seen by many as the singer who, in a perfect world, should have won the first edition of American Idol. When Gray didn't get enough votes to stay on the show and less talented contestants like Nikki McKibbin did, Gray's dismissal... [+] Read More

Yes No

Like Charles Atlas before him, William Hung is an example of American spirit and tenacity, someone who can turn his weaknesses into an inexplicable strength that won over the hearts of millions of viewers who first fell in love with him on Fox's hit television show American Idol.

Prior to his 15 minutes of fame, Hung was an... [+] Read More

Yes No