How to Win American Idol Like Kelly Clarkson

When Kelly Clarkson became the first person ever to win "American Idol," no one suspected that the girl from Burleson, Texas was actually making history. Much has changed since "American Idol" debuted; the show has become a superstar franchise and its contestants have become increasingly savvy about the nature of the competition. As the show's first winner, however, Kelly Clarkson remains the icon of what it truly takes to be an Idol.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Have faith in yourself. When Clarkson decided at an early age that singing would be her future career, her mother advised her to be practical and have a back-up plan. Clarkson refused, because she wanted to commit 100% to her faith in her musical abilities.

2. Show yourself as an ordinary person. Unlike many singers who are polished and promoted by their record companies before they make their debut, Kelly Clarkson's girl-next-door image and down-to-earth personality endeared audience voters to her.

3. Be grateful for praise from the judges. Clarkson always maintained a demeanor of modesty and genuine gratitude when she received praise from the judges on "American Idol." As Simon Cowell once noted, "She isn't aware of how good she really is."

4. Display your sense of humor. Part of Clarkson's affable personality is her sense of humor, which she displayed on the set of "American Idol" when she occasionally joked around with the judges to lighten the mood.

5. Fly under the radar in the initial stages of the competition. When Clarkson took home the crown in the first season of "American Idol," many people, including judge Simon Cowell, commented that they hadn't really noticed Clarkson until the final stages of the show, when she really began to emerge as a strong contender.