<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> <Ul> <Li> 2002 </Li> <Li> ▶ </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> 2002 </Li> <Li> ▶ </Li> </Ul> <P> The first season of American Idol premiered on June 11, 2002 (under the full title American Idol: The Search for a Superstar) and continued until September 4, 2002 . It was won by Kelly Clarkson . The first season was co-hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman, the latter of whom left the show after the season ended . </P> <P> The winner, Kelly Clarkson, signed with RCA Records, the label in partnership with American Idol's 19 Recordings . Immediately post-finale, Clarkson released two singles, including the coronation song, "A Moment Like This". "A Moment Like This" went on to break a thirty - eight - year - old record held by The Beatles for a song's biggest leap to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 . It jumped up from number fifty - two to number one in just one week . She held that record for five years but she reclaimed that record back in 2009 with her hit single "My Life Would Suck Without You" when it jumped up from number ninety - seven to number one . Clarkson has enjoyed a successful recording career since winning, with multiple - platinum albums, a number of Top 10 hit singles and three Grammy Awards . Runner - up Justin Guarini also signed with RCA Records, eventually debuting an album in 2003 after the conclusion of season 2 . RCA dropped him shortly after its debut . In addition to Clarkson and Guarini, also signed were Nikki McKibbin, Tamyra Gray, R.J. Helton, and Christina Christian . </P>

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