Kelly
Clarkson Who would have guessed that
small town sweetheart Kelly Clarkson would eventually grow up and
become one of America's
brightest stars?Certainly, not Kelly!As a child growing
up in Burleson, Texas, singing was far from her choice career.
Kelly Clarkson wanted to become a marine
biologist. Lucky for the rest of the world, she quickly
changed her mind upon seeing Jaws, because it was only
a matter of time before her true talent and passion were unveiled
for the rest of the world
to see. Kelly's innate singing ability was first discovered in 7th
grade after her junior high choral director heard her singing in
the school
hallway and encouraged her to sign up for the school choir. Up until
that point, Kelly was considering joining the band!
Kelly Clarkson immersed
herself in choral activities throughout high school, starring in
musicals Brigadoon,
performing overseas, and earning top honors as a member of the
Texas All-State Choir. Upon graduation, Kelly solidified her committment
to music, working numerous jobs to finance her demo CD and market
herself to record
labels. Frustrated with the lack of results and unopened mail, she
made her way to Los Angeles along with a friend, hoping for the best.
It may have took Kelly a while to realize that
she could handle it, but the American public showed no hesitation
in casting their
votes and naming Kelly Clarkson their American Idol on September
4, 2002.Moments later, she took to the stage for
an emotional performance of her first single, A Moment Like
This, capping off the competition and reminding millions of viewers
why they tuned
into the show week after week--to watch people's dreams come true:
Oh I can't believe it's happening to me/Some people wait a lifetime
for a moment like this.
On October 5th, 2002, A Moment Like This shot
straight from No. 52 to No. 1 on the Billboard charts, eclipsing
the 38-year
record of biggest leap to No. 1, previously held by the
Beatles Can't Buy Me Love, which went from No. 27 to
No. 1 in 1964. Her full-length solo debut is slated for
March 4, 2003, and already, Kelly is attracting famed songwriters
and producers like Diane Warren
and the team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Janet
Jackson, Mariah
Carey). Kelly also has a desire to showcase her songwriting skills
on her solo album as well.A No. 1 song, legions of fans, and an inner-drive
that is unparalleled, Kelly Clarkson is on
her way.
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Natasha
Bedingfield Musician
Natasha is an English singer and
songwriter who has performed in the genres of contemporary
Christian and pop music. Natasha and Daniel Bedingfield
share the Guinness World Record for being the only siblings
to have had solo number-ones in UK chart history.
Natasha Bedingfield Bio and Photos |
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Gwen Stefani
Gwen's brother Eric started the band No Doubt with his friend John Spence
in 1987, and asked the always effervescent Gwen to join on as co-vocalist
with Spence. Tony Kanal joined the group a little later, and the trio
began to gain popularity by playing at local parties.
Gwen Stefani Bio and Photo Gallery |
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Diana
Krall Jazz Pianist and Singer
At the age of seventeen she won a scholarship from the Vancouver International
Jazz Festival to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston. In Nanaimo,
her playing attracted the attention of famed bass player Ray Brown and
drummer Jeff Hamilton.
Diana Krall Bio and Photos |
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Shania
Twain Country Music Artist
Shania Twain often grabbed a guitar and retreated to the solitude of her
bedroom singing and writing until her fingers ached. "I grew up listening
to Waylon, Willie, Dolly, Tammy, all of them," she recalls. "But
we also listened to the Mamas and the Papas, The Carpenters, The Supremes
and Stevie Wonder.
Shania Twain Bio and Photos |
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Stacy
Ferguson Singer and Songwriter
As a child actress, Stacy Ferguson
was actually on the television program Kids Incorporated
for several years with her TV sister Renee Sands, who became
a fellow member of Wild Orchid. On the show, she sang Whitney
Houston's "One Moment In Time".
Stacy Ferguson Bio and Pictures |
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Julianne
Hough Musician and Dancer
Julianne Hough began working almost
immediately upon arriving in Los Angeles. She was featured
in two television commercials and was a "dancing" extra
in an episode of Cold Case. She was one of the "Million
Dollar Dancers" in the short lived network television
game show Show Me the Money starring William Shatner.
Julianne Hough Biography and Photo Gallery |
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Miley
Cyrus Musician and Actress
Cyrus landed the lead role of Hannah
Montana, a teen pop star who leads a double life as an
average schoolgirl. Her dad, Billy Ray, was then chosen
to play her widowed father in the TV series, and the entire
Cyrus family moved from Nashville to southern California
to encourage Miley's career. Miley
Cyrus Bio and Pictures |
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