Kelly Clarkson forgot the date of her “American Idol” win

She really is Miss Independent.

It's been 22 years to the day since Kelly Clarkson won American Idol ... but you might have to remind her about it.

In a video posted Sept. 4 to her Instagram, The Kelly Clarkson Show digital producer Andrew Shaw reminded the singer and host, "Hey Kel, it's September 4." She looks at the camera in amusement and states, "It is September 4," clearly not getting it. Shaw goes on, "On this day 22 years ago-" and Clarkson is able to cut him off in delighted shock: "Oh my God! It's September 4! Oh my God when you said that date," she continued, " I got nervous, like, 'Did I miss an anniversary?'"

Only the anniversary of the most significant moment in Clarkson's professional life. "22 years since winning American Idol," she reflected. "And I'm back on TV. Who would have thought?"

As if to emphasize how completely Clarkson's Idol win transformed her life, six Emmy awards are visible on a set of shelves in the background of the video. "Is it 22 years?" she asked, almost disbelieving. "That's so exciting, Andy I forgot! I didn't even realize what it was, I'm worried about my kid's first day at school, which is tomorrow," she explained.

On Sept. 4, 2002, after a grueling 12 weeks of competition, Clarkson won against competitor Justin Guarini, becoming the series' first-ever victor. The winners of reality competition series like Idol more often than not fade into obscurity after their golden moment. But not so with Clarkson, who beat the odds by releasing several platinum-certified records, taking home multiple Grammys, successfully segueing into film and television, and earning a total of seven Emmys for the long-running Kelly Clarkson Show since her win.

Though she momentarily blanked on today's big anniversary, Clarkson has never forgotten what Idol did for her. She has visited the Idol set numerous times since her season — returning for performances on seasons 14 and 15 and participating in the Idol Gives Back fundraiser. She has also invited past winners like Fantasia Barrino onto her show, as well performed their songs, like Carrie Underwood's "Blown Away."

Related: Kelly Clarkson performs a cover of 'Desperado' — by the Eagles, not, sadly, the one by Rihanna

She has also commemorated the anniversary of her Idol win multiple times in the past. In 2020, on the 18th anniversary of her crowning moment, she posted on the platform formerly known as Twitter, "18 years ago today was the finale of the first season of American Idol and it changed my life! I’m still hustlin' 18 years later because I know I am blessed to have the opportunities and I still love my purpose!"

Twenty years after her win, in 2022, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was joined by the judges her crowned her, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson, all of whom have moved on from Idol. She celebrated the date on her Instagram with a post that read in part, "Thank you so much to every single person that voted 20 years ago! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Related: Kelly Clarkson helps marry gay couple during New Year's Eve Las Vegas concert

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The Kelly Clarkson Show is only one of Clarkson's illustrious current gigs. She recently released her 10th studio album Chemistry, whose rollout culminated in an intimate Las Vegas residency, and recently launched her own Sirius XM channel, Kelly Clarkson Connection.

American Idol season 23 is set to return in 2025 with Underwood replacing Katy Perry on the judging panel.

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