Kelly Clarkson has accused producers of her breakthrough show American Idol of lying to her about a car prize she was promised after winning its debut season in 2002. The singer aired the long-held grievance on the 10 March episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, chatting with The Traitors victor Rob Rausch and actor Daniel Radcliffe.
Clarkson catapulted to fame as the very first American Idol champion, beating out Justin Guarini in a finale that drew millions. That victory launched a career stacked with Grammys, No 1 albums and a daytime TV empire, but she claims the glittering prizes dangled on screen never materialised. What was billed as a million-dollar windfall turned out to be an 'investment' – industry speak for a recording contract with RCA Records – leaving her high and dry on the basics.
