![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/kelly-clarkson.jpg\")
\u201cStill waiting on that set of wheels, FOX!\u201d<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cStill waiting on that set of wheels, FOX!\u201d<\/p>\n
Kelly Clarkson is still waiting for the prizes she was promised for winning American Idol all the way back in 2002!<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, Kelly sat down with<\/a> Rob Rausch to discuss his winning the most-recent season of The Traitors.\u00a0When asked about the\u00a0 $220,800 prize Rob got for winning the show, he revealed to Kelly that he still hasn\u2019t received his prize money. This struck a nerve with Kelly, who replied that she \u201c[relates] to this so hardcore\u201d because she has also yet to receive her prizes from winning the first season of \u201cAmerican Idol\u201d in 2002.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI literally was on the show, and they were like, \u2018Oh, you win a million dollars\u2019 or whatever,\u201d she explained. \u201cNo, you didn\u2019t. It was, like, a million dollars\u2019 worth of investment in you.\u201d <\/p>\n (For those who don\u2019t know<\/a>, all \u201cAmerican Idol\u201d winners are advertised to receive a recording contract and a cash prize. Most seasons, the cash prize was $250,000, but certain seasons, like Season 1, touted a $1 million prize. The show also partnered with Ford to offer cars as part of the winners\u2019 packages while it aired on FOX.)<\/p>\n The show also promised Kelly a car, which she didn\u2019t receive either.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then they said you get a car, and I needed it \u2018cause my car was bashed in, and I couldn\u2019t afford the deductible,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cI did not get a car!\u201d she shouted. <\/p>\n After not receiving her car, Kelly said she was even more upset to find out later that Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken received a new set of wheels, as did his mother, randomly.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI was like, \u2018What the f**k?\u2019 I remember Clay telling me that the second season,\u201d Kelly said. \u201cHe\u2019s like, \u2018Yeah, they gave my mom one.\u2019 I was like, \u2018I\u2019m gonna actually kick your ass right now.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Actor Daniel Radcliffe\u2014 who was also a guest on the episode\u2014 chimed in to propose that \u201cAmerican Idol\u201d retroactively pay Kelly whatever $1 million would be in today\u2019s money. (According to the American Inflation Calculator, $1 million in 2002 is worth over $1.8 million in March 2026.)<\/p>\n \u201cNo, it was supposed to be the prize then, okay? It was supposed to be the prize then,\u201d Kelly declared.<\/p>\n She directed her attention to Rob and warned him not to wait for his prize.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m saying, you might not see it. You might not see it. But, you know, I hope you got enough TV time.\u201d<\/p>\n Although the prizes have differed across the seasons, Kelly seems to be the only \u201cIdol\u201d winner to have not received any physical part of her prize. Season 19 winner Chayce Beckham told The Taste of Country Nights, On Demand podcast<\/a> that, although he did receive the cash for winning in 2022, he didn\u2019t receive all $1 million (most likely due to taxes) and didn\u2019t receive a car or trophy at all.\u00a0<\/p>\n FOX and the production company behind \u2018American Idol\u2019 have not commented on Kelly\u2019s claims.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/kelly-clarson.jpg\")
\u201cCan I at least get a bus pass or SOMETHING?!\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/kelly-clarkson-clay-aiken.jpg\")
\u201cMy mom says to let her know if you need a ride!\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/rob-raush.jpg\")
\u201cI\u2019ve got my eye on you, Peacock!\u201d<\/p>\n