The first American Idol winner was Kelly Clarkson, who won Season 1 in 2002, beating runner-up Justin Guarini.

Quick Scoop

  • First winner: Kelly Clarkson.
  • Season: 1 of American Idol (aired in 2002).
  • Runner-up: Justin Guarini.
  • After the show: Clarkson’s debut single “A Moment Like This” became a major hit and broke a long-standing Billboard Hot 100 record for biggest leap to number one.

Kelly Clarkson’s win in 2002 turned American Idol from just another new reality show into a pop-culture launchpad for future stars.

TL;DR: Kelly Clarkson was the first American Idol winner, crowned in 2002 in Season 1, with Justin Guarini as the runner-up.

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