A Decade Later, American Idol Still Hits a High Note

‘I’m proud to be an American because at least I know I’m free’ but when American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson tweeted her presidential endorsement for Ron Paul. It was not a unanimous vote with her fans. Fans must have forgot that Clarkson can vote for whomever she wants and they can’t take that away. Clarkson later apologized if she offended anyone. But she gladly stood tall and according to CNN Money a boost in sales of Clarkson’s new album “Stronger”, days after her Paul tweet. And she’s thanking her lucky stars because the billboard artists album even landed at No. 13 on iTunes.

A decade ago, the Texan tuned our airwaves in the inaugural season of American Idol: The Search for a Super Star. And she continues to hit a high note, “Stronger” is the super stars fifth studio album since we welcomed her in our home back in 2002.  The Grammy winner is campaigning her Stronger Tour 2012 right now. So meet her at Foxwoods on January 13th to kickoff her meet and greet or in Boston at the Wang Theater on January 26^th with special guest Matt Nathanson? Wait, you can check her at the Superbowl singing the national anthem hopefully to the Patriots.  Go Kelly!

Clarkson isn’t the only Idol ringing in the New Year with a buzz.  Marshfield native, Judge Steven Tyler put an engagement ring on his longtime girlfriend Erin Brady but waited till after his appearance on “Oprah’s Next Chapter” that aired January 1^st to confirm the news. The intimate interview with Oprah was shot in Sunapee, New Hampshire, back in September, only days after Tyler’s father died.

New gossip has sparked the web recently that Tyler has been ‘loving it up’ in Hawaii where he and his fiance are ‘going down’ as now husband and wife? Rumor not confirmed but the two did participate in a “blessing” ceremony.

It may be a New Year but we are still singing the best of 2011 including Clarkson and three more pop American Idols who hit the top 100 artists, Carrie Underwood and Scotty McCreery. Add Judge Jennifer Lopez to the billboard mix and get “On The Floor”, Wednesday night, January 18^th for the premiere of Season 11 American Idol. Clearly American Idol isn’t having a bad day.

Photos:

1. Kelly Clarkson photographed recently (Getty Images)

2. Last year’s winner, Scotty McCreery

3.  Carrie Underwood, 2005 American Idol winner

4. The American Idol Judges