Earlier today (at some point) I mentioned that I love American Idol. That’s not news for anyone who comes by my blog regularly – I look forward to it every year and get way too emotionally invested in people I don’t know. I’m also still irritated that they canceled Canadian Idol this season, boo, hiss!

Anyway.

Over the years I have always had a favorite that I was pulling for, but some were more important to me because I really liked their voice. My favorites were Clay Aiken (though with the Crazy Clay fans and his diva-esque behavior in the past, that’s almost embarrassing now, but he really had an incredible voice), Carrie Underwood, David Cook, and of course this season’s Adam Lambert.

But first there was Kelly Clarkson. I actually didn’t watch the first season from the start. I didn’t think I’d be interested in a singing competition show. Little did I know that years later I’d be so passionate about the damn show that I would yell at the TV, hop up on my couch like Crazy Tom Cruise on Oprah (that was when David Cook won, for the record), and basically freak out a lot.

However, I watched the last two episodes and knew right away that I wanted Kelly to win. Many seasons later, she can still show exactly why she won and why she’s still the Original American Idol. Because she is AMAZING.

George and I are watching Saturday Night Live right now and she performed two songs tonight, including her new single, “I Do Not Hook Up”. Obviously I can’t show you THAT performance but here’s one that she did on GMA. She is always so good and one of the few people who manages to sound great on talk shows where the sound isn’t usually very good.

I’ve been more invested in other Idol winners since then but she definitely maintains a regular spot on my iPod!

For those who are Canadian, my favorite Canadian Idol has always been Kalan Porter. I’ve liked others since him but Kalan was just seriously awesome. See?

Do you watch AI? Who’s your favorite?