Kelly Clarkson may be the inaugural winner of “American Idol,” but her knowledge of the singing competition series’ subsequent champions ― and other participants ― seems to be a little shaky.
On Monday, Clarkson welcomed fellow “American Idol” veteran Clay Aiken to “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” where she proceeded to misidentify him as the Season 2 winner of “Idol” when, in fact, he’d come in second place behind Ruben Studdard.
The hilarious gaffe came at the start of the interview as Clarkson was recalling how she and Aiken were joint headliners on the 2004 Independent Tour in support of their respective debut albums.
“I won the season before you, but we toured after you won,” she said. “The Independent Tour, I think, is what it was called.”
Aiken quickly interjected with a correction, telling the host: “After I came in second.”
Ever the seasoned pro, Clarkson laughed off the slip-up.
“So sorry, Ruben! I totally remember that,” she said. “Look, I’m 42, bro. OK, like, I forgot.”
Fortunately, Aiken didn’t seem too bothered.
“It’s been 20 years,” he told Clarkson. “We are both getting older.”
Watch a clip of Clay Aiken’s “Kelly Clarkson Show” appearance below.
Interestingly, Clarkson actually performed her hit single, “Miss Independent,” on the Season 2 finale of “American Idol” shortly before it was announced that Studdard had swept to victory.
Later in the show, she joined the two men ― as well as the rest of that season’s contestants ― for a performance of Barry Manilow’s “One Voice.” The episode aired May 21, 2003.
Elsewhere in Monday’s chat, Clarkson shared a few anecdotes about the Independent Tour, including how she believes fans were more responsive to Aiken’s presence on stage than her own.
“It was as if I didn’t exist,” she recalled. “You were … it was like Elvis was in the building every night. And you didn’t even have to win, you didn’t win and then people were losing it over you. It was so fun to watch.”
Steve Granitz via Getty Images
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Aiken recently unveiled “Christmas Bells Are Ringing,” a collection of holiday songs that’s also his first studio album in 12 years. The album’s release follows his foray into politics, which included two runs for Congress in his home state of North Carolina in 2014 and 2022.
In his chat with Clarkson, Aiken said he decided to return to music at the encouragement of his 16-year-old son, Parker.
“He wants me to leave as much as possible now,” he quipped, before adding: “Music can make people happier, and I thought the whole politics thing could improve people’s lives, but it doesn’t. Music does.”