| Kelly Clarkson was born in Fort Worth, Texas and | | | | didn't embrace it as her salvation until her teens. |
| grew up in the small town of Burleson, Texas, a | | | | Clarkson attended Pauline G Hughes Middle School |
| suburb of Fort Worth. She is the third and youngest | | | | and Burleson High School. She originally wanted to |
| child of Jeanne Ann Rose, a first grade teacher who is | | | | become a marine biologist. In seventh grade, a teacher |
| of Welsh and Greek descent, and Stephen Michael | | | | (Mrs. Cynthia Glenn) overheard her singing in a hallway |
| Clarkson, a former engineer. Clarkson's siblings include | | | | and asked her to audition for the school choir. Clarkson |
| her brother Jason, and her sister Alyssa. When | | | | told the teacher that she had never received |
| Clarkson was six years old, her parents split up after | | | | professional vocal training. In high school, Clarkson |
| seventeen years of marriage. As a result, her brother | | | | performed in musicals such as Annie Get Your Gun, |
| went to live with her father, her sister went to live with | | | | Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Brigadoon. It |
| an aunt, and Clarkson remained with her mother. | | | | was whilst at school that Clarkson first decided to |
| Clarkson frequently moved around Texas while her | | | | pursue singing. She sang at her high school talent |
| mother managed several professions in order to | | | | show, after which a gentleman shared some inspiring |
| support the family. The family settled in Burleson, | | | | words with her: "God has given you this gift. You've |
| where Clarkson's mother married her second husband, | | | | got to sing. You're destined to sing." Clarkson did |
| Jimmy Taylor. | | | | continue to sing and soon started classical training, |
| While growing up, Clarkson's family had a hard time | | | | since her family didn't have much money and she |
| financially and often argued about money. From this | | | | hoped that music would offer college scholarships. |
| experience, Clarkson learned to be financially | | | | Â Â |
| responsible and independent at an early age. Music | | | | Please visit for more infomation. |
| became her refuge after the first divorce, but she | | | | |