Say what you want about the early 2000s era, but it gave us some legendary celebrity hairstyles. How to Watch: Check your local listings for The Kelly Clarkson Show. Take Kelly Clarkson, a Voice Coach alum and host of her own eponymous talk show. The Grammy-winning singer has rocked some iconic hairstyles over the past few decades, but one in particular lives rent-free in fans' heads: her chunky blonde highlights from 2002. Let's take a trip down memory lane together, shall we?
This photo, below, was taken from Clarkson's American Idol days. While her voice ultimately won over America, it's those highlights that really made her a beauty icon. Next up: Jelly shoes!
The Kelly Clarkson Show returns this fall. Season 6 of The Kelly Clarkson Show is right around the corner, and Clarkson is already promising tons of fun surprises and jaw-dropping music moments for viewers. Kelly Clarkson's had a stunning hair transformation over her decades in the spotlight - and that's includes her fair share of bold, memorable 'dos.
The "Behind These Hazel Eyes" hitmaker certainly hasn't been afraid to rock some daring hairstyles, which makes sense seeing as they're usually the amalgamation of multiple people's ideas. "The outfit plays a big part in what the hair will look like," Clarkson's hairstylist Robert Ramos told People. "It's a team effort. Kelly's stylist Candice Lambert McAndrews picks the dress and then makeup artist Gloria Elias-Foeillet and myself discuss what the look should be. The star also hasn't been afraid to let fans in on her beauty secrets, which involves adding a few extensions to give her locks extra edge.
Kelly Clarkson shocked us (in a good way) at a 2015 iHeartRadio event with long, loose curls on one side and a buzzcut on the other. Her tresses were styled into a severe side part to show off her new look, which was one of her most dramatic ever. She explained the move to PopCrush, recalling, "I went to my hair girl and I was like, 'I need something different, I need something to make me feel less like a mom. How could we forget Kelly Clarkson's notorious chunky highlights - which experienced a comeback in 2024 - from her "American Idol" days?
In 2002, the then up-and-coming star appeared on the singing competition with unblended, blond streaks at the front of her brunette locks and the back piled up for a messy yet edgy up-do. The year after Kelly Clarkson was crowned the original "American Idol," her hair had us shook at a pre-Grammy party. The grown-up, half-up 'do was unlike anything we'd seen from her before - and rarely since. Her tresses were slicked back on the right side, but the left section was down to create a sleek side bang style that had us doing a double take.
Kelly Clarkson's hair looked stunning in a warm shade of blond at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, marking a drastic change from the sharply highlighted brunette locks she rose to fame with. She pulled her golden tresses into a classy up-do without a single flyaway or any strands hanging down for softness.
Kelly Clarkson brought us festive and fabulous vibes at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at the Rockefeller Plaza in 2023. The "Walk Away" singer's mane was dirty blond and she was ahead of her time with her flattering eyelash bangs, as they'd become the flirtiest hair trend the next year.
On "The Voice" in 2020, Kelly Clarkson's hair was anything but shy and retiring. The popstar had a few extensions added to her mane, which was styled into a textured, XXL pompadour, complete with braids, crimped sections, and serious volume. The sides were pulled back and the back was down, but there were still pounds of hair teased on the top of her head. Kelly Clarkson had us doing a double take on "The Voice" in 2020 when she debuted a striking, platinum blond bob. The gorgeous, wispy 'do was one of her shortest in years and made the singer turned talk show host look almost unrecognizable, as we'd gotten used to seeing her with slightly darker, longer, softly waved locks.
In 2019, Kelly Clarkson took another risk that seriously pulled off. At the Billboard Music Awards, she added waist-length, straight extensions (Clarkson looks almost unrecognizable without them) to her highlighted mane. The star's team also teased the top section to create serious volume above her forehead.
Key highlights of Kelly Clarkson’s hair evolution
- Early 2000s: unblended blonde front streaks with brunette base, edgy up-dos.
- Mid-2000s: warm blond tones, slicked-back or half-up styles with volume.
- 2015: bold contrasts with asymmetric styling such as long curls and a close buzzed section.
- 2019-2020: hair experiments on major stages and TV appearances, including extensions, XXL pompadours, braids, and a platinum blond bob.
- 2023-2024: fashionable, soft eyelash bangs and continued experimentation with lightened tones.
These looks demonstrate how hair and fashion interact with performance and public image. The team-based approach to styling-dress, makeup, and hair decisions-helps define the overall aesthetic for each moment.
Images and moments from Clarkson’s career illustrate how chunky blonde highlights became a memorable signature that fans still discuss alongside her vocal performances. The recurring theme across these eras is a willingness to experiment, guided by stylistic intent and stage presence.
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