Kelly Clarkson is lifting the lid on her American Idol prize more than 23 years after she won the first season.

The singer and talk show host revealed on the Tuesday, March 10, episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show that she never received the car she was promised as part of her prize. She made the revelation after The Traitors season 4 winner Rob Rausch, her guest on the episode, said he had yet to receive his $220,800 grand prize for his victory.

“I relate to this so hardcore,” Clarkson, 43, told Rausch, 27. “You probably weren’t alive when I was on American Idol, but I was literally on the show, and they were like, ‘Oh, you win a million dollars,’ or whatever. No, you didn’t. They lied. You did not, no. It was like a million dollars worth of investment in you.” (The American Idol prize at the time was a recording contract worth $1 million.)

Aside from the recording contract, Clarkson said she was also promised a car, but it never materialized.

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Related: How ‘American Idol’ Prizes Have Changed Through the Years

Winning American Idol has been a dream come true for many singers, but the prizes have changed a lot over the years. Kelly Clarkson was crowned the singing competition’s inaugural winner in 2002. She reportedly walked away with a $1 million prize and a record deal with RCA Records, per Parade. In addition to the […]

“And then they said you get a car, and I needed it ‘cos my car is bashed in and I couldn’t afford the [insurance] deductible. And then, no! I did not get a car!” Clarkson said.

“And then Clay Aiken, who didn’t win the second season, got a car — and [so did] his mom!” she said, referring to the American Idol season 2 runner-up. “I was like, ‘What the f***?’ I remember Clay telling me that second season … he was like, ‘Yeah, they gave my mom one.’ I was like, ‘I’m gonna actually kick your ass right now.’”

American Idol winner-turned-judge Carrie Underwood previously opened up about receiving a Ford Mustang convertible following her season 4 victory back in 2005. During a March 2023 interview on Today’s Country Radio With Kelleigh Bannen, Underwood, 43, confirmed she still had the car.

“I do still have the car that I won when I won American Idol. So I have my blue Mustang,” said the singer, who is now part of the Idol judging panel with Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.

“It always makes me want to drive it more, because it was such a pivotal point in my life,” she said. “That was the car that I was driving around when I first moved to Tennessee, and I’m very, very glad I still have that car.”

More recently, season 16 winner Maddie Poppe revealed in a 2022 interview with Business Insider that she received $250,000 for winning her 2018 victory.

“You do get $250,000, but not really because of taxes,” Poppe told the outlet. “And you get half of it before you complete your record, and then the second half you get after you complete the record. So it’s just like an advance from the record deal, but I’m pretty sure I have to recoup it.”

By Jonathan Klotz
| Published 8 seconds ago

Stranger Things may be over, but Netflix doesn’t have to worry about finding a replacement. One Piece Season 2 is proof that the streaming giant has the next big thing already ready to go. The first two episodes of the new season, subtitled Into the Grand Line, prove it’s not only the best live-action anime adaptation of all time, but one of the best shows of this decade. The new season is bigger, better, and by compressing the anime and manga arcs into one or two episodes, the pacing finally matches Monkey D. Luffy’s boundless enthusiasm. 

One Piece: Into The Grand Line Picks Up Right Where Season 1 Left Off

“The Beginning and The End” starts off the season by bringing the Straw Hat Pirates, their captain Luffy (Inaki Godoy), the navigator Nami (Emily Rudd), the greatest swordsman alive, Zorro (Mackenyu), the sharpshooter Usop (Jacob Romero Gibson), and master chef Sanji (Taz Skylar) to Loguetown, the last vestige of civilization before entering the Grand Line. Immediately, Netflix’s budget is on full display within the wildly colorful city where everyone, from a fishmonger to a swordsmith, looks like they stepped off the set of a completely different series. Even in live-action, One Piece looks like an anime, and the over-the-top shonen plot has been mostly left intact. 

Returning villains from Season 1, Buggy (Jeff Ward) and a slimmed-down Alvida (Ilia Isorel Paulino) ambush Luffy while he’s visiting Gold Roger’s execution site. Luffy finds himself bound and on top of the execution site with his life on the line, and in the face of death, he laughs. He can’t help but proudly announce that he will become the King of the Pirates. Nothing, not even a blade to his throat, can dull Luffy’s enthusiasm for and love of life. It inspires some, and, in the case of the newly introduced Marine Captain Smoker (Callum Kerr), it terrifies him. Smoker recognizes that Luffy is the heir to Gold Roger. 

In the anime, he’s an exaggerated character in an exaggerated world, which is why, when fans knew Season 2 would adapt the “Reverse Mountain” arc, there was some concern about how they’d show a river flowing up a mountain and the giant whale lurking at the bottom. Episode 2, “Good Whale Hunting,” is all the evidence anyone needs that One Piece succeeds where most adaptations falter. It steers into the ridiculousness with all the joy and reckless abandon of the Going Merry’s crew heading straight down Reverse Mountain. 

The New Gold Standard For Adaptations

The beauty of One Piece is that it’s the type of series that defies Netflix’s unofficial “second screen” viewing policy. It’s why Stranger Things Season 5 rehashed the plot over and over again, and characters delivered blatant exposition to one another. There are brief asides, such as Zoro’s comment about how Laboon must be a girl whale after Nami points out the uvula, or Usop’s excited retelling of his adventures to Kaya through a messenger snail, that, well, seems to be a bit exaggerated. Eichiiro Oda, creator of One Piece, worked on the series to the extent that every single change, character outfit, casting choice, and even lines of dialogue, had to receive his approval, and it shows. 

One Piece looks like the anime, it sounds like the anime, and it possesses the spirit of the anime. Fans of The Witcher will look at this series and think about what could have been if that series had received a fraction of the love and care devoted to One Piece. As with the first season, you don’t even have to have seen the anime or read a single page of the manga to appreciate the show on its own merits. It’s an entry point to the world of anime without the burden of going through over a thousand episodes. 

Netflix released every episode of One Piece: Into the Grand Line on March 10, so if you want, you could binge the entire adventure in one go. You could also take your time and savor another trip to the world of pirates in search of legendary treasure. However you choose to watch it, make sure you do, because One Piece may be the most popular anime in the world, but with the success of Season 2, it’s going to become the next big thing. 

My denim had a good run this winter, but my legs are ready to breathe this spring. However, when the weather is in that awkward, sunny-but-chilly phase, I always stress about what pants to wear. Jeans are too thick and stiff, but it’s not quite warm enough outside for shorts. And don’t even get me started on leggings! If you’ve run into the same dilemma and crave pants that actually let you move but still look polished, you’re in very good company.

I scoured Amazon for loose and elevated spring pants and landed on 12 must-see pairs. Think wide legs, relaxed draping and fabrics that hang beautifully without looking sloppy. The best part? You don’t need a designer budget to pull it off. These picks strike that sweet spot between comfort and “I clearly have my life together” — and are all under $50.  Let’s get into it!

Loose and Elevated Spring Pants for Under $50

1. My Favorite: These stretchy, high-waist barrel pants in army green hit right at the ankle for a cropped, cool silhouette. The baggy boyfriend fit plus pockets make them an instant wardrobe MVP.

2. Spring Staple: Finding dress pants that don’t feel like a punishment is hard. These stretchy, wide-leg trousers have a clever double waistband that looks structured but moves with you all day long.

3. Loose Linen: A cotton linen blend keeps these palazzo pants breathable when temps climb. The flowy, wide-leg cut with pockets screams easy, breezy spring.

4. Boho-Chic: When you want that linen-like look without fussing over dry cleaning, these brick red palazzo pants deliver. The high waist and flowy wide leg give you a put-together boho vibe with zero effort.

5. Office-Approved: Stiff work pants are the worst. These loose pleated trousers have a high elastic waist that stretches comfortably, while the long, flowy cut keeps you looking like the best-dressed person in the office.

Related: The Most Flattering Wide-Leg Pants for Every Shape — From $20

Wide-leg pants are some of the most flattering bottoms you can own, whether you’re curvy, petite, tall or somewhere in between. To make the search for the perfect pair easier, we rounded up 15 wide-leg pants that deliver on fit, comfort and style — no tailoring tricks required. From pull-on styles that feel polished enough […]

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6. Quite the Charmer: A tie-waist detail creates a slimming effect that gives these loose wide-leg pants a boutique-style look. The comfy high waist and pockets seal the deal.

7. Go for Gingham: A green and white gingham pattern makes these flowy, wide-leg pants a spring standout for under $30. The elastic high waist keeps them comfy for all-day wear.

8. Free and Flowy: Slip these floral palazzo pants on for your next beach vacation, and you’ve got a complete outfit with minimal packing. The apricot-and-black print can be dressed up with gold hoops.

9. Spring Sweats: Regular sweatpants look sloppy outside the house, but these lightweight palazzo pants give you that same cozy elastic-waist feel with a much chicer wide-leg shape.

10. Better Than Denim: Jeans that pinch and dig are nobody’s friend. These acid-wash wide-leg pants give you that denim look with a stretchy drawstring waist that actually lets you sit comfortably.

11. Shopper-Loved: A high waist is everything when you want a flowy pant that still defines your shape. These army green palazzo pants hit that sweet spot between polished and relaxed.

12. Everyday Essential: Some days you need pants that ask nothing of you. These drawstring palazzo pants in light gray are loose, comfy and have deep pockets, but the wide-leg shape still looks intentional and put together.

Malika Haqq and Khadijah Haqq have puzzled fans after posting a photo of them kissing on the lips in celebration of their 43rd birthday.

RELATED: Oop! Khloé Kardashian Confronts Malika Haqq For Not Telling Her About Previously Hooking Up With Rob (WATCH)

Malika Haqq Haqq & Khadijah Haqq Post Photo Of Them Kissing On The Lips In Celebration Of Their Birthday

On Tuesday, March 10, Khadijah Haqq took to Instagram to share a photo of herself and Malika Haqq standing in front of a sunset while surrounded by candles and greenery. Additionally, the pair posed with one of the twins holding the other’s face as they kissed on the lips.

“H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y M A L I K A 40-thrWE💋,” Khadijah captioned the photo as Malika reposted the photo via her own Instagram Story with the reply. “Happy Birthday @foreverkhadijah I love you… It’s US forever [pink heart emoji]”

Check out the photo below.

The Twins Puzzle Fans With Apparent Birthday Celebration Post

Internet users immediately shared puzzled reactions to the photo in TSR’s comment section.

Before Malika Haqq Haqq & Khadijah Haqq Posted Photo Of Them Kissing On The Lips, One Of The Twins Made Sentimental Headlines

As The Shade Room previously reported, before Malika and Khadijah Haqq made present headlines, in March 2025, Malika shared footage of her sentimental birthday surprise for her and O.T. Genasis’ 5-year-old son, Ace. The clip ultimately prompted tears from social media users.

RELATED: Awww! Malika Haqq Trends After Posting Sentimental Footage Of Her Birthday Surprise For Her & O.T. Genasis’ Son (WATCH)

Ime Udoka
Scoffs At Bam Adebayo’s 83 Points
Free Throws and Wizards!!!

Published
March 11, 2026
6:56 AM PDT

Asian Doll is getting back to music seven months after giving birth to her daughter, Mi’Lani. As she continues adjusting to balancing motherhood and her rapper lifestyle, she can’t escape the judgment from social media critics.

RELATED: Asian Doll Shuts Down Folks Questioning Her Heritage After She Claimed To Be Native American (PHOTOS)

Asian Doll Gets A Commenter In Check After Sharing A Photo Of Her Postpartum Body

On Monday, Asian Doll took to the ‘net to share a cute photo rocking a bright orange short set, a pink Chanel bag, and matching pink and orange heels. In the caption, while thanking her daughter for how good she looks postpartum, she wrote, “My daughter did me right.” A commenter replied, “Legs still don’t match babes,” and the rapper quickly clapped back, writing, “Still a badder b****  than you babes.”

In the full thread, another commenter asked, “How does her legs still not match?” Asian Doll responded, “How do I still manage to be a badder & prettier b**** and have more money than every b**** obsessed over my legs?”**

Asian Doll Speaks Out  After Mixed Reactions To Her New EP Cover

Tig Notaro and Cheryl Hines entertained comedy fans with their “Tig and Cheryl: True Story” podcast, which launched in 2020.

But three years later, Notaro, 54, abruptly exited the project. Her May 2023 departure came one month after Hines’ politician husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced his campaign for the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

More than one year later, Notaro confirmed during an October 2025 episode of the “Breaking Bread With Tom Papa” podcast that she had to part professional ways with Hines, 60, as a result of Kennedy’s political advances.

“Cheryl’s married to Bobby Kennedy Jr.,” Notaro said during the episode. “When he was announcing his run, I just felt like I needed to step away … because there are beliefs that were like a gnat on the arm years ago that were getting further into the spotlight.”

Related: Cheryl Hines Reveals ‘Painful’ Friendship Fallouts Over RFK Jr. Marriage

Cheryl Hines opened up about losing friends due to her marriage to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during an appearance on the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast. The Curb Your Enthusiasm alum dived deep into the backlash surrounding her spouse, who went from being a mainstream environmental activist to a controversial member of President Donald Trump’s second […]

The comedian went on to explain that the political stance of Kennedy, the Secretary of Health and Human Services for President Donald Trump’s administration, became too problematic. “My friendship with Cheryl predated her marriage to Bobby,” Notaro said of the couple, who got married in 2014. “He was in environmental law. And again, other beliefs he had were like a gnat on my arm.”

In a new interview for MS Now’s “The Best People” podcast, published on Monday, March 9, Notaro has reflected on her past friendship even further.

Keep scrolling for more insight into Notaro’s falling out with Hines:

Notaro Felt ‘Ridiculous’ After Kennedy’s Power Move

“Tig and Cheryl: True Story” involved the two hosts dissecting a documentary every week, with their musings often resulting in humorous anecdotes and observations. Notaro said during her MS Now interview that the work felt different in the wake of Kennedy, 72, announcing his campaign.

“There were things he thought and felt that I didn’t agree with, but he didn’t have the platform he got in the pandemic. I think that I needed to stop doing the podcast, because it was so ridiculous, it was so stupid— our show — that it was hard to be doing that when he was gaining momentum and speaking,” she told host Nicole Wallace.

Notaro’s Stand-Up Shows Became Impacted

Notaro said during the MS Now interview that her affiliation with Hines and Kennedy led to politically fuelled heckling during her stand-up performances.

“People would interrupt my stand-up shows and yell, ‘Bobby is crazy!’” Notaro said. “I was telling Cheryl that I know it’s a small percentage that pushes back online or yells out at shows, but I was, like, ‘Man, this is not my world. I don’t do this. I don’t want to be a part of this.’”

Notaro noted that Hines was initially understanding of her decision to exit their podcast. “She [Hines] was like, ‘I understand,’ but she wanted to keep doing the podcast. I had to step away, but I loved her so much,” Notaro recalled.

Notaro was replaced by Rachael Harris on “Tig and Cheryl: True Story,” but production ended for good in December 2023.

Their Friendship Dynamic Shifted After Notaro Left the Podcast

Notaro said she was upset as her friendship with Hines changed in the wake of her departure from the podcast. “What was most upsetting to me is we were in such opposing places, but I continued to reach out to her and send her love and support because I didn’t know what was going on behind closed doors. Then things shifted very severely,” she stated in the interview.

“I realized one day that she doesn’t ever reach out to me anymore. She responds to me, but she doesn’t reach out to me. I had to kind of shake myself out of denial that, ‘Oh, she’s gone,’ and, ‘OK, I need to let this go. I need to let it go.’”

Notaro Denies ‘Dumping’ Hines as a Friend

The comedian also claimed that reports stating that she “dumped” Hines were incorrect. “What was a bummer is that there’s some interviews claiming I dumped her and left her in the dust because of Bobby, but I was trying to be a friend to her even though I didn’t feel like I could continue with the podcast,” she said during the MS Now interview. “It’s been very strange, and I think I’ve moved past the confusion and sadness.”

Hines Felt Helpless Amid Notaro’s Exit From the Podcast

Hines said during a November 2025 episode of the ‘“Howie Mandel Does Stuff” podcast that she felt helpless when Notaro left. “When it was feeling a lot for her, there wasn’t much I could do about it other than leave my husband,” she said at the time. “This is what she feels she needs to do for herself … and she feels she needs to distance herself from me.”

Before this cool kid in his fancy beret turned into an American actor, he was just admiring his famous ‘rents and growing up in sunny Los Angeles …

He’s most known for playing Hughie on the hit Prime Video superhero series “The Boys” … as well as playing Marvel in “The Hunger Games.”