• First CD album from 'American Idol' winner Kelly Clarkson debuts at #1

  April 23, 2003
  According to the Associated Press, Thankful, the first full-length CD from Kelly Clarkson, winner of the first American Idol competition during the summer of 2002, debuted at #1 this week in music industry sales figures. Kelly Clarkson's CD sold just under 300,000 copies in its first week, easily outdistancing the higher-profile "reunion" CD from 1980s superstar group Fleetwood Mac, which sold less than 75% of Clarkson's total and had to settle for third place in its debut.

• Former 'American Idol' winner Kelly Clarkson to release first CD album on April 15

  April 9, 2003
  Billboard reports that former American Idol wiinner Kelly Clarkson will finally have her debut CD released on April 15. Entitled Thankful, the RCA release will hit the stores along with a new single with a surprising co-author.

• Kelly Clarkson/Justin Guarini 'American Idol' movie pushed back to June 13 release

  April 9, 2003
  Two Idols at the same time proved to be one too many for Fox. As the hugely successful American Idol 2 approaches its May conclusion, the New York Post reports that Fox has pushed back the release date of the American Idol movie, starring Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, the winner and runner-up in the first American Idol contest, and entitled simply From Justin to Kelly.

• Former 'Amercian Idol' co-host Brian Dunkleman to judge 'Regis & Kelly' competition

  March 6, 2003
  Well gee, with "other opportunities" like this available to him, it's clear why Brian Dunkleman claims he opted not to return for "American Idol 2."

• 'Amercian Idol' Tamyra Gray's 'Boston Public' run extended from four episodes to seven

  February 25, 2003
  ‘American Idol’ finalist Tamyra Gray made her acting debut last night on the FOX series Boston Public (Mondays, 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). FOX now reports that the number of episodes Tamyra will appear in has now been increased from four to seven.

• 'American Idol' Kelly Clarkson appearing in independent gay film

  February 2, 2003
  Launch.com reports that before she was an American Idol, Kelly Clarkson appeared in a gay video. The film, entitled "Issues 101," tells the story of student running for president of a fictional college's Greek system. Clarkson plays a coed who is asked by a fellow undergrad to have sex and then is seen leaving with the guy. According to Launch, Clarkson is fully clothed in her cameo.

• 'American Idol' finalist Tamyra Gray four-episode 'Boston Public' arc to debut on February 17th

  December 16, 2002
  'American Idol' finalist Tamyra Gray will begin shooting a four-episode arc on the FOX series BOSTON PUBLIC (Mondays, 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on Friday, December 20th.

• Kelly Clarkson's record label and songwriters deny she had a recording deal before 'American Idol'

  December 16, 2002
  Entertainment Weekly reports that "American Idol" producers issued a statement Thursday saying "Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson did not break the contest's amateur eligibility rules when she had recorded five songs for an album with three veteran pop songwriters before she appeared on ''Idol'' this summer. Separately, a lawyer representing the songwriters who recorded with Clarkson told EW.com that the tracks were just demos, and that no record contract was in place.

• Did 'American Idol' Kelly Clarkson break the contest rules?

  December 13, 2002
  A report from The Star suggests that "American Idol" champion Kelly Clarkson may have violated the rules of the competition. The rules specify that contestants must be amateurs with no prior professional experience.

• CTV announces 'Canadian Idol' version of 'American Idol'

  October 17, 2002
  CTV has announced it's bringing a Canadian version of "American Idol" to Canada in a new series that will make its debut in 2003. The completely Canadian series will be based on its smash-hit cousin, "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar." The September 4th finale of "American Idol" was the most watched show of the summer when 2.1 million Canadian viewers tuned in to watch.

MORE AMERICAN IDOL 1 NEWS