Kelly Clarkson Hilariously Forgets Clay Aiken Didn't Win 'American Idol'

Clarkson, the inaugural "American Idol" winner, briefly rewrote the singing competition series' history in an awkward on-air moment.

Kelly Clarkson may be the inaugural winner of “American Idol,” but her knowledge of the singing competition series’ subsequent champions ― and other participants ― seems to be a little shaky.

On Monday, Clarkson welcomed fellow “American Idol” veteran Clay Aiken to “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” where she proceeded to misidentify him as the Season 2 winner of “Idol” when, in fact, he’d come in second place behind Ruben Studdard.

The hilarious gaffe came at the start of the interview as Clarkson was recalling how she and Aiken were joint headliners on the 2004 Independent Tour in support of their respective debut albums.

“I won the season before you, but we toured after you won,” she said. “The Independent Tour, I think, is what it was called.”

Aiken quickly interjected with a correction, telling the host: “After I came in second.”