Kelly Clarkson Reveals She Still Hasn’t Received Her “American Idol” Grand Prize After 24 Years
on Mar 12, 2026
Kelly Clarkson is still waiting on the grand prize she was supposed to get after winning American Idol more than 20 years ago.
During the Tuesday, March 10 episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, Kelly Clarkson sat down with Rob Rausch, the winner of season 4 of The Traitors.
At one point in the conversation, Kelly asked Rob about the $220,800 prize pot he took home. However, he revealed that he still hasn’t received the money.
Hearing that brought back a not-so-great memory for Clarkson, who admitted she could relate “so hardcore” to the situation.
Apparently, she was never given the rewards she was promised after winning American Idol.
Kelly Clarkson Is Still Waiting On Her Idol Grand Prize
The “Since You Been Gone” singer won the very first season of American Idol in 2002, and has since gone on to be one of the most successful contestants fans have seen from the singing competition.
“You probably weren’t alive when I was on American Idol,” Kelly joked. “I literally was on the show, and they were like, ‘Oh, you win a million dollars’ or whatever. No, you didn’t. They lied. You did not. It was, like, a million dollars worth of investment in you.”
Kelly’s two-decade-long grudge doesn’t stop there, though. Not only was the prize money misleading, but she also never received the car they told her she’d get.
“They said you get a car, and I needed it ‘cause my car was bashed in, and I couldn’t afford the deductible,” she said. “I did not get a car. And then Clay Aiken, who didn’t win the second season, got a car.”
Not only did Clay get a car as a runner-up, but the show also gifted his mom one, too.
“I was like, ‘What the f–k?’” Kelly exclaimed. “I remember Clay telling me that the second season, he’s like, ‘Yeah, they gave my mom one.’ I was like, ‘I’m gonna actually kick your ass right now.’”
RELATED: WHAT DOES THE WINNER OF “AMERICAN IDOL” RECEIVE AS A PRIZE?
Kelly may no longer need the car, but she’s passionate about it because it’s a matter of principle. She even warned Rob not to be surprised if the same thing happens to him.
“You might not see it. But, you know, I hope you got enough TV time,” she said.
Watch Kelly reveal she never received her American Idol grand prize in the video below.
