The Stunning Hair Transformation Of Kelly Clarkson

At the height of her singing career in the early to mid-2000s, Kelly Clarkson was the icon for edgy pop-rock style. Her influence on fashion trends was inevitable following her "American Idol" success — she won the inaugural season, after all — and this pop-culture legacy lives on today, particularly among millennials. Everyone who grew up during that time can admit to recreating Clarkson's unique look (and lip-syncing to "Breakaway" while staring out the nearest window, as all angsty teenagers did). That said, a major component of her trendsetting style came down to her hairstyles, which have undergone a fabulous transformation since her days on the hit singing competition.

We've already detailed Clarkson's stunning style transformation, but frankly, the "Walk Away" star's on-stage hairstyles deserve an analysis of their own. There's no denying that hair can make or break an outfit. For instance, you can slip into the most elegant dress in your wardrobe, but if your hair sits in a wild bird's nest atop your head, it spoils the overall effect. As such, we've assembled a comprehensive lookbook that goes back to the very beginning of Clarkson's career to take a closer look at her unforgettable hair journey from starlet to legend.

If you were around in the early 2000s, you'll remember how chunky highlights and poker-straight hair were very much en vogue. Looking back, it's obvious just how much these hair trends had us in a chokehold, which is why we sympathize with Kelly Clarkson for having some of her most unfortunate hairstyles memorialized for all time on the world wide web. For instance, her chunky highlights phase took off in 2002 while competing on the first season of "American Idol," and the heavy lighting from televised performances and talk show appearances put her unmistakable highlights on full display.

However, in between the chunky blond highlights, Clarkson boasted several trendy hairstyles that, dare we say it, have aged quite nicely. Her laid-back 2003 Teen Choice Awards look is the perfect example, as she opted for a curly bob with blended highlights and beachy waves. That said, the singer's chic streak ends there, as the chunky highlights made a reappearance in 2004 at the announcement of the 32nd Annual American Music Awards nominations. We're fairly confident when we say that this is a hair trend from the past that most of us could live without.

In 2005, pop star Kelly Clarkson was riding the high of her budding career, and what better time is there to indulge in a daring appearance change than at the height of your fame? Between 2005 and 2006, Clarkson showed a preference for soft, golden-blond hair with dark roots and layered ends. Her edgy, rocker-chic aesthetic took over at this point, which also manifested in her pop-punk songs like "Behind These Hazel Eyes" and "Since U Been Gone."

That said, she didn't stick to a single haircut during this period. Instead, she sported everything from choppy medium-length cuts to blunt bobs. She played around with her looks, but she almost always had face-framing bangs and a side parting. From 2006 onward, Clarkson began to lean toward warmer shades of blond with more highlights, while staying away from the bleach-blond effect that was popular in early aughts' rock scene.

The long bob, or "lob," was considered a chic hairstyle back in the early 2000s. This cut is universally flattering, and a straight, silky style immediately elevates a casual outfit. In 2007, Kelly Clarkson jumped on the straight lob bandwagon — if you're curious, today's version is the skinny lob — and she didn't look back. Cropped hair can feel tricky to pull off for many people, but that wasn't an issue for Clarkson, whose face shape and soft features were well-suited for this type of blunt cut. The young star also took a page out of the Blair Waldorf style handbook with a cocoa brunette revamp. We're not saying Clarkson's brunette phase was directly inspired by the show, per se, but Leighton Meester's influence on hair trends thanks to "Gossip Girl" was undeniable after the drama's first season aired in 2007, so it's not entirely off-piste.

However, in 2008, this short hairstyle took on a sun-kissed glow when the "Because of You" singer performed at the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards All-Star Jam. During her performance, she showed off her new golden-blond locks with highlights, which she maintained throughout most of that year.

In 2009 and 2010, Kelly Clarkson remained loyal to her shoulder-length cut. However, she spiced things up by changing the color and trying out different haircuts. At the 2009 American Music Awards, for instance, Clarkson wowed fans and fellow attendees with a fiery auburn-brown look. For the American Music Awards, the then-27-year-old styled her hair in loose ringlets, which she paired with smokey eyeshadow and a silver-studded dress. This redhead phase was short-lived, but it made a lasting impression nonetheless. She then discovered the beauty of a bouncy blowout and opted for soft waves or curls for most of her public appearances and concerts.

Alternatively, in 2010, Clarkson looped back to blond hair and with it came the return of sleek hairstyles. She traded her red-brown hair for dirty blond near the beginning of 2010, reaching for choppy lob cuts. Her straight hair also made a comeback that year but with more texture and layers than her 2007 and 2009 looks.

Many people associate the side fringe with the early aughts. However, this Y2K hairstyle persisted well into the 2010s, and Kelly Clarkson's side-swept bangs are a case in point. For instance, in 2011, the "My Life Would Suck Without You" singer dyed her strands a rich dark chocolate tone and frequently wore it pin straight — a common look for the early 2000s. The deep part was another go-to hair trend at that time, but her ultra-short fringe was unique. As her hair grew out, she abandoned choppy side bangs for more dynamic cuts, such as subtle blowouts and long, face-framing bangs.

As she entered 2012, she adopted one of the most popular Y2K trends: the scene girl hairstyle. This look featured a dense side fringe that fell below the eyebrows and a layered shag cut. However, she flipped the angsty emo trend on its head and went lighter rather than box-dye black. She debuted her sunflower-blond hair at the 2012 MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, Canada, and it remains one of her sweetest looks to date.

In 2013, Kelly Clarkson attended the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. At the Las Vegas event, the singer debuted a warm bunny-blond hairstyle with a deep side part and a medium-length cut. This sun-kissed blond was a lovely look on the "Piece by Piece" artist, as it complemented her face shape and radiant skin. Despite her love for brunette, this golden blond tone looked completely natural on Clarkson, whose true hair color is a slightly darker shade of blond. Moreover, in 2013, Clarkson replied to a fan on X, formerly known a Twitter, "[M]y favorite hair color is a chocolate brown but I think blonde looks better on me #iwannabeabrunette."

Dyeing her hair blond from root to tip was the catalyst for her blond obsession. From there, she went on to try different shades of blond, including a platinum or pearl blond in 2015. This was also the year when Clarkson decided to shave off a small section of her head after a difficult pregnancy. "I went to my hair girl and I was like, 'I need something different, I need something to make me feel less like a mom'. Because I just felt like I was super locked up. I was just so sick all the time, I wasn't feeling good," Clarkson told PopCrush in 2015. She wound up copying her hairdresser's daughter, who had walked in with a similar 'do. "And I was like, 'I'm totally about to jack your style,'" Clarkson added to the outlet.

Between 2016 and 2018, Kelly Clarkson moved away from shoulder-length hairstyles and embraced a modern, sophisticated appearance. During this period, the three-time Grammy Award winner sported a chest-length hairdo with loose beach waves and a flattering center part. However, what stood out throughout these three years was her preference for a dramatic ombré. She frequently left the salon with this two-toned look that combines her two favorite shades: mushroom brown and blond. 

Moreover, an ombré color technique is designed to be low-maintenance, so this would have been a no-brainer for her after the birth of her second son in 2016. Juggling a career with a newborn and a 2-year-old is no easy feat, so opting for a hairstyle that requires minimal touch-ups was a wise move, if you ask us. The mother of two's love for a simple ombré continued into the following year along with similarly easy-to-style hairdos, such as undone curls and mermaid waves.

In 2019, Kelly Clarkson adopted an edgy pompadour at the Billboard Music Awards, and it completely threw fans for a loop. She paired this slightly uncharacteristic hairstyle with a vampy ensemble, including a shimmery black dress, a bold red lip, and dark eye makeup. This long-haired pompadour look was one of many experimental hairstyles of that time, and it extended to her outfits. Clarkson went all out with her wardrobe in 2019, which embodied her trademark glamorous rockstar look from the past. This era proved to fans that the "Gone" singer is not afraid to try more daring hairstyles that fall outside modern trends.

Another instance that showcased her love for versatility is the 2020 Billboard Music Awards, where she pulled her strands back into the perfect power ponytail. This dramatic updo was part of an iconic ensemble reminiscent of the early 2000s. However, the edgy pompadour and braided high ponytail were styled with modern outfits and appeared far from outdated. We would go as far as to say she "rocked" it (pun intended).

While filming a music video alongside fellow singer Kristin Chenoweth in Columbus Circle, New York, Kelly Clarkson debuted a modern blond balayage with blended roots and distinct money pieces. The trendy balayage technique quickly became her favorite, as the celeb was spotted with this very look throughout 2021. Additionally, her everyday hairstyle featured a middle part, which perfectly complemented her face shape, and long, textured layers.

This dynamic hairstyle carried this trend well into the next year, which marked an eventful time for the pop singer, as she was officially honored with a star along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For the memorable Star Ceremony on September 19, she rocked her blended balayage again. She tied her locks back and pulled out several strands to frame her face. Although she kept the same color and length, the "Love So Soft" artist threw in two braids to shake things up.

Kelly Clarkson's hair has undergone innumerable changes since her rise to fame in 2002, but it's clear from her past performances and paparazzi snapshots that the musician holds a preference for wavy, flowing locks. However, during Kelly Clarkson's performance at the 2023 Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, the "Catch My Breath" singer appeared with an effortlessly tousled "London hair" updo. The '90s-inspired hairstyle featured face-framing pieces and faux wispy bangs, along with a loosely tied top knot at the crown of her head. Clarkson pulled off this intentionally disheveled look with ease and even added a bold red lip for a European touch.

What's more, Clarkson also wore an updo during the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 2024, surprising fans with another fancy look. This "chic textured chignon," as hairstylist Robert Ramos dubbed it in an Instagram post, was a refreshing break from her go-to waves. She even swapped her signature blond balayage for a root-to-tip brunette. The comment section of Ramos' Instagram post is overflowing with praise, with one commenter writing, "That hair do looks [fire] on Kelly," and another saying, "Stunning!!! Great look for Kelly." As lovely as she looks with her usual mermaid waves, we're completely on board with her current love for chic updos, and based on the Instagram response, her fans are, too.