Kelly Clarkson filed for divorce from her husband, Brandon Blackstock, in 2020, shocking many people after almost seven years of marriage. Court documents obtained by People revealed that the singer cited irreconcilable differences as the primary reason for their separation.
According to reports, the couple had been experiencing undisclosed marital problems exacerbated by the COVID pandemic and lockdown. A source told Us Weekly that the couple had numerous clashes, and being stuck in quarantine together only intensified their issues. The insider also emphasized that despite public perception, their marriage was far from perfect.
Clarkson and Blackstock’s first encounter was at a rehearsal for the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2006, while Blackstock was still married to Melissa Ashworth, his first wife. They reconnected years later after bumping into each other at the Super Bowl in 2012 and quickly got engaged after a few months of dating.
The couple exchanged vows in Tennessee and had two children together, a daughter named River Rose and a son named Remington Alexander. Additionally, Clarkson became a stepmother to Blackstock’s kids with Ashworth, a son named Seth, and a daughter, Savannah.
While the exact reasons for their divorce are unclear, Clarkson has publicly discussed the moment she knew it was over for her and Blackstock, which was a heartbreaking experience.
During a March 2023 appearance on the “Angie Martinez IRL” podcast, Kelly Clarkson opened up about the red flag in her marriage to Brandon Blackstock that prompted her to file for divorce. The realization occurred while reading Glennon Doyle’s memoir, “Untamed,” in which the author shared her healing journey after her divorce. Clarkson recalled thinking about her daughter and whether she would want the same kind of marriage for her child, which ultimately solidified her decision to end the marriage. However, the decision wasn’t made impulsively, as Clarkson explained that it had been years in the making and that the marriage did not work out.
In a 2020 episode of “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Clarkson spoke with Doyle and shared how a specific line from her book resonated with her regarding the reality of her marriage. The line read, “A good mother is a model, not a martyr,” which helped Clarkson realize that she needed to change her life for herself and her husband. “This isn’t happiness for both of us. I feel both deserve better, and neither of us would want this for our children,” Clarkson explained, adding that the line hit home for her.
Although Clarkson’s divorce from Blackstock was difficult, she has stated that she has no regrets about ending their marriage. Furthermore, she has not closed herself off to the possibility of love in the future, stating that she would love to fall in love again. While she does not plan to get married again, Clarkson remains open to the idea of finding a romantic partner.