"My winning is getting to perform. That's my victory."

• Born Kelly Brianne Clarkson on April 24, 1982, in Fort Worth, Texas

• The winner of the first U.S. "American Idol" in 2002, Kelly Clarkson hit the ground running with her debut single (and victory song), "A Moment Like This," which went straight to No. 1.  Her 2003 debut album, Thankful, also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was certified double-platinum.

• After winning two GRAMMYs for Breakaway and "Since U Been Gone" at the 48th GRAMMY Awards in 2006, Kelly Clarkson made her performance debut on the telecast that same year, singing "Because of You." 

• Did you know? The lead single, "My Life Would Suck Without You," from Clarkson's fourth album, 2009's All I Ever Wanted, holds the record for the biggest jump to No. 1 ever on the Billboard Hot 100, going to the top from No. 97 in a single week.

• Kelly Clarkson's Miracle on Broadway holiday concert, featuring Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks, took place in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2014, raising more than $400,000 for several local charities, including her own Fruition Fund, which she founded through the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.