Kelly Clarkson won the first season of American Idol in 2002 and quickly became one of the biggest names in music. But just a year later, she found herself starring in a movie that flopped at the box office — and it turns out, she didn’t even want to make it.
Remember When Kelly Clarkson Made a Movie That Flopped?
From Justin to Kelly hit theaters on June 20, 2003, pairing Clarkson with fellow American Idol finalist Justin Guarini in a musical romantic comedy about two college students who meet during spring break in Florida.
The movie had a reported $12 million production budget but brought in just $4.9 million at the domestic box office. That’s less than half of what it cost to make, making the film a major flop.
It also received brutal reviews. it currently has an 8 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and has since developed a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most infamous movie bombs.
Kelly Clarkson Didn’t Want to Make From Justin to Kelly
Clarkson wasn’t exactly excited about her big-screen debut. In a 2019 interview with the Los Angeles Times, the singer revealed that she tried to get out of the movie but couldn’t, because starring in the film was part of her American Idol contract.
READ MORE: Kelly Clarkson Blasts Brooklyn Boutique For Assuming She Couldn’t Afford Their Item
“I cried,” Clarkson said. “I talked to many lawyers and could not get out of the movie.”
Clarkson explained that acting wasn’t what she signed up for when she auditioned for the singing competition. She wanted to build a career in music, not star in a movie just because she won the show.
“I think I might have been the only one that didn’t want to do it,” Clarkson said. “But the winner had to, so.”
Thankfully, her single “Miss Independent” was released before the film hit theaters, and its success helped keep the focus on her music, not on the movie that only dogs enjoy when placed in front of it when their owners leave for the day.
“I begged them, since I had to do it contractually, I wanted my single to be released before the movie came out and I think that literally saved my career,” Clarkson said.
Kelly Clarkson Still Hasn’t Forgotten Her Movie Flop
During a Las Vegas concert in August 2026, Clarkson poked fun at the movie after spotting a fan wearing a shirt inspired by the film. Her explanation for why she made it was short and to the point: “Contractually obligated.”
Clarkson may not be proud of the movie, but at least she can laugh about it now… and so can you, as it currently lives on Amazon Prime Video.
Kelly Clarkson’s Body Transformation in 31 Pictures
The singer has dealt with serious medical conditions since 2006. Add two kids, the stress of life, career and divorce and getting older — yeah, we totally get how she gained a few pounds.
In 2025, she’s as fit as she’s ever been, and that’s because she began to take her doctor’s advice seriously. Medicine helped, but it’s not what you think.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
See Inside Kelly Clarkson’s Spectacular New California Mansion
Kelly Clarkson has purchased a stunning new mansion in California, with the news breaking not long after the pop superstar and TV personality sold her palatial estate outside of Nashville.
Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker
