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