HOT GALLERY: Get to Know 2012’s Teen Choice Awards Before They Were Stars
Who took home this year’s coveted surfboards at the awards show by teens, for teens? Get to know some past choicest nominees and winners—teens and non-teens alike (hey, grownups can be choice, too!). By Nina Hämmerling SmithWe all know how she got her start in the business: as the winner of the first season of American Idol, back in 2002. But Idol was hardly her first exposure to the business; after high school, she turned down college scholarships in hopes of landing a record contract. She moved to L.A., did some acting as an extra and eventually, despairing of making the kind of music she wanted to make, returned home to Texas. It was only then that she auditioned for Idol and entered the living rooms—and hearts—of millions of Americans. The singer, whose “Stronger” is nominated for Choice Single by a Female Artist, has been a guest mentor on The Voice and a series regular on ABC’s Duets, as well as appearing in the TV series Reba and American Dreams (let’s just all choose to forget From Justin to Kelly, shall we?). Although her fluctuating weight has been the source of chatter, Clarkson declares, “I love performing no matter how big or little I am! I feel good.”