Why Did Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock Divorce?
Kelly Clarkson filed for divorce from Brandon Blackstock in June 2020, after almost seven years of marriage. The main reason she gave was “irreconcilable differences,” but as time passed, Kelly talked more about why things didn’t work out. The news, shared by @PopCrave on X and cited from People, has drawn significant attention from fans and media alike.
In a candid moment, she revealed she felt “very limited” and unhappy in the marriage. She described how being with Brandon wasn’t helping her grow and made her feel stuck—“maybe, as in love as I was, I just wasn’t ready, and maybe the other person wasn’t either.” Their relationship also blurred the lines between work and home, since Brandon doubled as her manager, which brought even more tension and legal headaches.
It wasn’t just emotional strain. In December 2023, a court ordered Brandon to pay Kelly over $2.6million because of legal issues tied to his role as her manager—he’d crossed boundaries, making their split even messier. Plus, some pretty harsh words were exchanged. According to court documents, Brandon allegedly told Kelly she wasn’t "sexy" enough to be a coach on The Voice, something she admitted was a deeply hurtful blow.
The custody battle for their kids dragged on, but in the end, Kelly got primary custody, with Brandon receiving visitation rights. Despite all the drama, Kelly made it clear that her children—River and Remington—came first.
How Long Ago Did Kelly Clarkson Get Divorced?
Clarkson and Blackstock tied the knot in October 2013, but their divorce was finalized in March 2022, so it’s been a little over three years since they formally split.
Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock Relationship Timeline
Kelly and Brandon’s story kicked off in 2006 at a rehearsal for the Academy of Country Music Awards. Nothing happened at first, but in 2012, they crossed paths at the Super Bowl after Brandon’s first divorce. Sparks flew, leading to a whirlwind romance.
Brandon proposed in December 2012, and they got married in 2013. They welcomed their daughter River Rose in 2014, and their son Remington Alexander followed in 2016. Nearly seven years later, Kelly filed for divorce in June 2020. The split was finalized in 2022, after a long, pretty bitter legal fight with issues ranging from spousal support to custody. As noted by @CountryRebelCo on X, the singer’s decision reflects her deep commitment to her role as a mother during this personal family matter.
Kelly Clarkson Kids' Names and Ages
Kelly Clarkson has two children with Brandon Blackstock:
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River Rose Blackstock — born in 2014 (age 11 as of 2025)
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Remington Alexander Blackstock — born in 2016 (age 9 as of 2025)
Kelly Clarkson’s Life After Divorce
The divorce was tough and publicly messy, but Kelly didn’t let it drag her down for long. She used the experience to fuel her work and connect deeply with fans. While processing the end of her marriage, Kelly kept shining as a coach on The Voice and kept her talk show—The Kelly Clarkson Show—winning an Emmy Award along the way.
In December 2023, she dropped her 10th studio album, “Chemistry,” which is all about the ups and downs of her relationship. Kelly’s own words say it best: "This album is definitely the arc of an entire relationship, and a whole relationship shouldn’t be just brought down to one thing. So there’s the good, the bad, the ugly thing kinda going on in it."
