Kelly Clarkson Believes She’ll Be ‘Single Forever’ After Her Bitter Divorce From Her Ex-Husband

Feb 02, 2024 by apost team

Kelly Clarkson first became a household name in 2002 following her win on the hit competition series “American Idol.” Since then, the singer has sold millions of copies of her albums and toured across the world. Some of her most notable hits include “Since U Been Gone,” “My Life Would Suck Without You” and “Because Of You.” With an incredible vocal tone and range, Clarkson has easily become one of the best and most recognizable pop stars in the US.

Along with being a highly accomplished singer, Clarkson has also appeared in a variety of films and TV shows and has become one of the most beloved women in the entertainment industry due to her hilarious personality and charming wit. She was a judge for another singing competition series called “The Voice” and is even the host of her own talk show, “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”

With nearly two decades in the public eye, Clarkson’s personal life has been on full display. She famously wed Brandon Blackstock — who happens to be Reba McEntire’s former stepson — in 2013. Together, they had two children, River, 9, and Remington, 7, as well as two older children from Blackstock’s previous marriage.

But sadly, their union didn’t last, and in June 2020, Clarkson filed for divorce from Blackstock. Since then, they’ve endured a bitter battle over child custody and assets. Clarkson was awarded primary custody of their kids, and in October 2021, she also won their $10.4 million Montana ranch, which was a big sticking point in the divorce proceedings. 

The aftermath of the messy divorce proceedings impacted Clarkson’s life, leaving her feeling that she would be “single forever.” 

Clarkson and Blackstock’s divorce was settled in March 2022, as People Magazine reported that Clarkson would pay Blackstock a one-time payment of $1.3 million, as well as monthly child support payments of $45,601 for their two children. The former couple also agreed on having joint custody of their kids, although they would live with Clarkson.

In a conversation with Variety in September 2022, Clarkson opened up about how being a solo parent changed her outlook on work. She decided to have the show pushed back 30 minutes later so that she could spend more time with her children and take them to school. 

“And then my nanny picks them up. At least I have the mornings with them, and then I have nights with them. I think the most important thing I’ve learned in therapy, especially through this divorce, is ‘Don’t hide everything from your kids. Obviously, don’t talk about stuff that you shouldn’t talk about, but it’s OK if they see you cry, or it’s OK if they see you’ve had a bad day,’” she revealed. 

Speaking on the Angie Martinez IRL Podcast in March 2023, Clarkson opened up more about how her divorce from Blackstock impacted both her and her children. She talked about a ritual she has with her two kids about checking on their feelings. 

"I ask my kids every night when we're snuggling and I put them to bed, 'Are you happy? And if you're not, what could make you happier?'” she said, and added: “A lot of times it would be like, ‘I’m just really sad. I wish Mommy and Daddy were in the same house.’”

apost.com

Clarkson continued: "I just sit there and I'm like, 'I get it. I'm from a divorced family as well. I get it. That sucks. But we're going to work it out. And you are so loved by both of us.'”

In general, the divorce took a massive toll on Clarkson and left her completely devastated. "It rips you apart whenever you fall in love with someone and it doesn't work,” the singer explained. She added:

"I think the thing about divorce — especially having it publicized, and people thinking they know the whole thing — the hardest part of that is, like, it wasn't an overnight decision."

Clarkson talked about feeling an array of emotions as well. “I was destroyed, on the ground, crying, because that's a loss,” she said. “It’s a death, honestly. You grieve something that you thought would be forever.”

Fortunately, Clarkson has been able to find the good in a tough situation. In March 2023, a source spoke with Us Weekly about how the singer was navigating single life. “She really is enjoying the single life and all the freedoms that come along with it,” the source shared. 

Ultimately, the divorce changed the way Clarkson views marriage. She explained:

“I won’t be getting married. In my life, I’ve been through a couple of divorces in my own family as a kid. I would love to fall in love. I would love to find someone and fall in love and do that thing, but I have children and that’s why I say that.”

Clarkson revealed she realized a lot of things after her bitter divorce from Blackstock. Although she seemed to say these things in a joking way, one would understand and realize what she has been through. 

In an episode of “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” the singing competition alumna opened up about her divorce and relationship status to fellow TV host Andy Cohen, her guest at the time. 

“I’m always that person that’s like, ‘Oh, I don’t know. Maybe they were having an off day,'” she explained about her dating challenges before Cohen revealed that he “cut and run” after seeing a red flag on a date, which Clarkson says she wanted to learn how to do. 

When Cohen revealed that he’s more of a cocktail-type of guy during dates, Clarkson responded in return. 

“I don’t know. I might be more of a coffee person. I don’t know if I’m willing to invest in an evening with you yet,” she candidly confessed. “I’ll be single forever.”

In 2021, she also admitted on the “Love Someone with Delilah” podcast that she has no regrets about her past relationships. 

“I regret nothing. Even unfortunate things that happen in your life or hard things, 'cause we can do hard things,” she said. “But also I feel like that’s what shapes you, it’s what makes you a better person, it’s what makes you recognize: OK, I missed those red flags, I missed that, I ignored that on purpose."

In a January 2024 interview with People Magazine, Clarkson admitted that music has been a “blessing” for her. 

“I cannot express how appreciative I feel for having that kind of healthy outlet. Because the level of depression and things that come with divorce or grieving is extraordinarily hard,” she added. 

What can you say about Kelly Clarkson’s divorce? Do you think she’ll be "single forever"? Do you know someone who went through the same thing as she did? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends and other Kelly Clarkson fans out here!