Kelly Clarkson How soon she forgets

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Kelly Clarkson beat a few superstars -- Mariah Carey, Sheryl Crow and Paul McCartney -- to become the first contestant from "American Idol" to win Grammy awards on Wednesday, but she forgot to thank the wildly popular TV talent show that made her famous.

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Clarkson thanked Jesus, God, the radio, her fans and her mother when she picked up Grammys for best pop vocal album and for best female pop vocal performance, but in two speeches she omitted any mention of "American Idol," which aired on Fox against the CBS broadcast of the 48th annual Grammy Awards for part of the night.

An overwhelmed Clarkson, who could not hold back tears during her first acceptance speech, could not believe her good fortune in winning the second.

"I don't know what is going on but thank you Jesus and God and everyone else who supported my career," she said.

Clarkson picked up the Grammy for best female pop vocal performance for her hit, "Since U Been Gone," and also performed her single "Because of You" on the telecast.

When asked backstage why she didn't mention "American Idol" in her acceptance speeches, she said she had in fact thanked the show indirectly by thanking her fans. She said she also forgot to thank a lot of important people in her life.

"I forgot to thank my dad and the rest of my family. I did thank the fans and that's 'American Idol,"' she said, noting that her omission had nothing to do with sharp recent criticism of her by "Idol" judge Simon Cowell.

A CBS spokesman said Clarkson was never restricted from mentioning the rival network's talent show, which ranks as the most-watched series on U.S. television.

"She's absolutely free to say whatever she wants up there," he said.

A few weeks ago, "American Idol" judge Cowell slammed Clarkson, saying she refused to let the show that launched her career use her hits on the program. But a spokesman for the pop star denied there was ever a dispute over song rights.

The spokesman said then that Clarkson, the biggest "Idol" success story, had been happy to hear her song, "Since U Been Gone," on "American Idol" the previous night. A contestant on the premiere of the show's fifth season warbled Clarkson's massive hit in the first few minutes of the program.

The first "Idol" champion, Clarkson has gone on to sell nearly 7 million U.S. copies of her first two albums combined, "Thankful" and "Breakaway."

Cowell had said Clarkson would be making a "big mistake" if she barred "Idol" from using her songs after the show catapulted her to stardom. "No matter how talented Kelly Clarkson is, she would not be in the position she's in now without winning this show," he said.

As for Clarkson, she said there was no problem and she thought maybe "American Idol" was seeking publicity.