The original Idol winner is still winning fans everywhere almost five years after she was first introduced to America's text-voting public.

Then:

Was that mean? I'm just sayin...Ms. Clarkson has come a long way from the confused look (am i a vampire? am i a beach-bound 12-year-old?) of her earlier years. Last night, Clarkson (lwho has long been standing strong on her own two feet in the music industry post-Idol, I might add) attended the ASCAP Pop Music Awards at the Kodak Theatre rigged out in a Monique Lhuillier moss green chiffon dress accented by a pearl neckline.

In addition to the red carpet, Clarkson also took a stroll across the stage to accept her award (one of three that night) at an event that honors the songwriters/brains behind some of today's most popular songs.

For KClark (uh, remind me to never call her that again), it was a win-win-win-WIN situation. Not only did she receive many accolades...but the award coordinated very well with her very grown up threads.

Who knew?
(I bet Kelly did. Yeeeah she did.)
Keep it up girl!