The DePaulia
Jason Grapenthin, Staff Writer|April 25, 2021
It was June of 2002 when the experiment of televising a singing competition where viewers could determine the results was put to the test. Three months later, that experiment produced a multi-platinum superstar and changed the trajectory of reality television for decades to follow.
The show was “American Idol” on FOX, and that star, who was chosen by America’s vote, was Kelly Clarkson. After Clarkson’s “One Shining Moment,” other hopefuls decided they wanted to dazzle a panel of judges featuring Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson and be America’s next idol, too.