• 'American Idol' champ Kelly Clarkson to appear in Candies shoe ads

  July 29, 2003
  Kelly Clarkson has decided to follow in the footsteps of "The Osbournes" Kelly Osbourne, R&B singer Ashanti and pop musician Vanessa Carlton.

• 'American Idol' winner Ruben Studdard receives gold single from RIAA

  July 29, 2003
  If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Ruben Studdard, the winner of Fox's second American Idol but a runner-up to fellow finalist Clay Aiken on the charts, became the fourth Idol recipient of a Record Industry Association of America ("RIAA") award. Ruben received a gold record, signifying 500,000 copies sold, for his debut single "Flying Without Wings" b/w "Superstar." As discussed in this story, Ruben joins Kelly Clarkson (the first Idol winner), Clay Aiken and the finalists from Idol 2 in selling over 500,000 copies of their debut singles.

• 'American Idol' finalist Clay Aiken awarded first platinum single of 2003

  July 29, 2003
  What do these people have in common: Elton John; Charlie Rich; Pink Floyd; Lee Ann Womack; Clay Aiken? If you answered "million-selling singles," move to the head of the class.

• 'American Idol' winner Kelly Clarkson to appear on NBC series 'American Dreams'

  July 28, 2003
  Although her acting career may have had a disastrous start with the failure of her movie From Justin to Kelly, Kelly Clarkson, the winner of Fox's initial American Idol, will try acting again in a role more suited for her. According to the Associated Press, Kelly will appear in the second season premiere of the NBC series American Dreams in September, portraying the pre-Beatles country-pop star Brenda Lee. During her appearance, Kelly will sing one of Lee's many hits, "Sweet Nothin's."

• Fox's 'American Idol' wins 'Program of the Year' from TV Critics Association

  July 24, 2003
  The Hollywood Reporter reports that Fox's American Idol was selected as "Program of the Year" at the 19th annual Television Critics Association ("TCA") Awards, held Saturday night in Los Angeles.

• 'American Idol' judge Randy Jackson has gastric bypass surgery

  July 19, 2003
  "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson, who in the past has been critical of less-than-svelte contestants on the FOX program and adviced them to lose some weight to improve their presentation, has apparently now decided to take his own advice... in a drastic manner.

• 'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell lands $2,000,000 book deal

  July 16, 2003
  When you're hot, you're hot, and right now Simon Cowell is on fire. Reuters reports that Cowell has just signed a $2 million deal with Random House for a book about the hit TV talent show.

• 'American Idol 3' announces first audition dates and locations

  July 15, 2003
  The next edition of FOX's "American Idol" might be coming to a city near you. Auditions for the third edition of the popular FOX series "American Idol" are set to start Tuesday, August 5 in Los Angeles and continue to Houston, Atlanta, and New York. Participants will vie for a spot on "American Idol" and a chance at the title and a major recording contract.

• Kelly Clarkson to perform on August 6th '2003 Teen Choice Awards'

  July 10, 2003
  FOX has announced that in a classic cross-promotion move, "chart-topping recording artist and four-time Teen Choice Awards nominee" (oh, and "American Idol" winner too) Kelly Clarkson is set to perform at the "2003 Teen Choice Awards" on Wednesday, Aug. 6 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. The Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles will play host to the special, celebrating the hottest teen icons in film, television, music and sports.

• Simon Cowell commits to judging 'American Idol' until 2006

  July 8, 2003
  At the end of the finale of Fox's American Idol in May, acid-tongued judge Simon Cowell discussed his possible departure from the show. Was it merely a negotiating ploy, or was he really burning out from the demands of Idol, its British version Pop Idol, and his new CBS show Cupid? Now we know -- it was merely a negotiating ploy.

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