The singer also revealed that the $1 million prize was not what viewers think. Kelly Clarkson says she never got car prize for winning American Idol: 'I was like, what the f' The singer also revealed that the $1 million prize was not what viewers think. By Daysia Tolentino :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/DaysiaTolentinoauthorphotob1c9bf2343cf4cf7b77759eeb9f69e8d.jpg) Daysia Tolentino Daysia Tolentino is a writer at . She has written for since 2025. Her work has appeared in NBC News, Vulture, GQ, and InStyle. EW's editorial guidelines March 11, 2026 12:08 p.m.

The singer also revealed that the $1 million prize was not what viewers think.

Kelly Clarkson says she never got car prize for winning American Idol: 'I was like, what the f---'

The singer also revealed that the $1 million prize was not what viewers think.

By Daysia Tolentino

Daysia Tolentino

Daysia Tolentino is a writer at *. *She has written for * *since 2025. Her work has appeared in NBC News, Vulture, GQ, and InStyle.

EW's editorial guidelines

March 11, 2026 12:08 p.m. ET

Kelly Clarkson on Season 6 of 'The Kelly Clarkson Show'. Credit:

Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty

Kelly Clarkson revealed that she was "lied" to about her *American Idol *prize.

The "Since U Been Gone" singer shared her story while relating to recent *The Traitors* winner Rob Rausch, who has yet to receive his impressive $220,800 prize pot. Clarkson, who won the first season of *American Idol*, said she could "relate to this so hardcore" because she didn't receive $1 million,* *nor did she get the car prize.

'American Idol' winner Kelly Clarkson sings after winning the contest on Sept. 4, 2002.

Kevin Winter/Getty

"They were like, 'Oh you win a million dollars or whatever, da da da,'" she said on a recent episode of *The Kelly Clarkson Show*. "No, you didn't. They lied. You did not, no. It was like a million dollars worth of investment in you. ... And then they said you get a car. And I needed it, 'cause my car is bashed in and I couldn't afford the deductible."

While the pop star did not get a car she was promised, the investment in her career paid off. After winning *American Idol* in 2002, Clarkson went on to score a dozen top-10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, which landed her on the publication's list of top female artists of the 21st century.

Kelly Clarkson revealed that 'American Idol' season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken won cars for him and his mother.

SGranitz/WireImage

Still, Clarkson was annoyed about not receiving her reality TV prizes after learning that *American Idol *season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken and his mother were gifted cars from production. Aiken had lost the top spot to Ruben Studdard in 2003.

"Clay Aiken, who didn't win the second season, got a car and his mom," the "Behind These Hazel Eyes" singer said. "I was like, what the f---? I remember Clay telling me that the second season. He was like, 'Yeah, they gave my mom one.' I was like, 'I'm gonna actually kick your a-- right now.'"

'The Traitors' season 4 winner Rob Rausch said he hasn't received his prize.

Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty

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As for Rausch, his payday may be imminent. *The Traitors *season 3 winner Gabby Windey, who triumphed alongside fellow Faithfuls Dylan Efron, Dolores Catania, and Lord Ivar Mountbatten, experienced delays receiving her winnings, too.

Check out the full interview between Kelly Clarkson and Rob Rausch on *The Kelly Clarkson Show* below.

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Reality"

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Source: Reality

Published: March 13, 2026 at 10:57AM on Source: PRIME TIME

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