The secrets of Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock’s divorce: what went wrong?
7 august 2025 в 17:37
The breakup of Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock surprised many fans, especially after almost seven years of marriage. The pop star and talk show host filed for divorce in 2020, citing incompatibility, but the legal battle that followed revealed deep tensions behind the split. The breakup was initiated by the «Miss Independent» singer, leaving fans puzzled: what went wrong?
Despite the end of their marriage, Kelly remains by Brandon’s side when he faces health issues. In August 2025, she postponed the remaining part of her residency in Las Vegas, sharing that the father of her children had fallen ill. «Right now, I need to be fully present for them», - she wrote in a touching statement on Instagram, thanking fans for their understanding.
Continue reading to find out everything we know about their divorce and their family.
The former couple first met in 2006, but only started dating in early 2012, as Brandon was still married to his ex-wife Melissa Ashworth until they finalized their divorce in the same year. By the end of 2012, he and the «Since U Been Gone» singer were engaged. Announcing the engagement, Kelly praised Brandon’s proposal as the «happiest night of [her] life» through Twitter (now known as X).
Speaking to PEOPLE at the time, Kelly described the moment when Brandon proposed. «Out of nowhere I just said, 'Thank you for being such a great guy.' I’ve never been loved properly by a man, and I just said, 'I'm so grateful to you for this,'» she recalled. In 2013, the couple got married.
Throughout their marriage, Kelly opened up about her love. During an interview on SiriusXM in 2017, the «Behind These Hazel Eyes» singer explained that she «never felt… sexual attraction to anyone until [Brandon]». Pointing out that she wasn’t criticizing her exes, Kelly noted: «I honestly thought I was asexual — I had never been turned on in my life. I was like, 'Oh, that’s what they talk about in 'Waiting to Exhale.' I just got it. I just had no idea».
By 2019, Brandon — who was managing Kelly at the time — encouraged his then-wife to start her own talk show, which became The Kelly Clarkson Show. After most people had to stay home during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Kelly revealed that she and Brandon were at their shared ranch in Montana. During a virtual discussion in May 2020 with other coaches from The Voice, Kelly referred to her then-husband as her «partner in crime».
However, things took a sharp turn because two months later she filed for divorce from Brandon in June 2020.
In her divorce filing, Kelly cited «irreconcilable differences» as the reason for their split, according to multiple sources. The couple did not finalize their divorce until 2022, as they were embroiled in various legal disputes, including custody of their children and their shared property in Montana. Ultimately, Kelly was ordered to pay Brandon over $ 1 million upfront, as well as $ 115,000 per month in spousal support. However, he was later ordered to pay Kelly $ 2.6 million due to several deals he controlled for Kelly’s career.
The following year, the «Because of You» singer gave fans insight into her and Brandon’s breakup.
«If you’re on the same path at the same time — and you’re really working together, and you’re communicating every day and doing the work — I think it can be beautiful. But for me, it wasn’t that and it was very limiting», - she noted during an appearance on the «We Can Work It Out» podcast in 2023. «It's my fault that I let this happen. Maybe, as in love, I just wasn’t ready, and maybe the other side wasn’t either».
The former spouses are raising two children together: son Remington Alexander and daughter River Rose. Kelly welcomed River Rose in
Despite the end of their marriage, Kelly remains by Brandon’s side when he faces health issues. In August 2025, she postponed the remaining part of her residency in Las Vegas, sharing that the father of her children had fallen ill. «Right now, I need to be fully present for them», - she wrote in a touching statement on Instagram, thanking fans for their understanding.
Continue reading to find out everything we know about their divorce and their family.
The former couple first met in 2006, but only started dating in early 2012, as Brandon was still married to his ex-wife Melissa Ashworth until they finalized their divorce in the same year. By the end of 2012, he and the «Since U Been Gone» singer were engaged. Announcing the engagement, Kelly praised Brandon’s proposal as the «happiest night of [her] life» through Twitter (now known as X).
Speaking to PEOPLE at the time, Kelly described the moment when Brandon proposed. «Out of nowhere I just said, 'Thank you for being such a great guy.' I’ve never been loved properly by a man, and I just said, 'I'm so grateful to you for this,'» she recalled. In 2013, the couple got married.
Throughout their marriage, Kelly opened up about her love. During an interview on SiriusXM in 2017, the «Behind These Hazel Eyes» singer explained that she «never felt… sexual attraction to anyone until [Brandon]». Pointing out that she wasn’t criticizing her exes, Kelly noted: «I honestly thought I was asexual — I had never been turned on in my life. I was like, 'Oh, that’s what they talk about in 'Waiting to Exhale.' I just got it. I just had no idea».
By 2019, Brandon — who was managing Kelly at the time — encouraged his then-wife to start her own talk show, which became The Kelly Clarkson Show. After most people had to stay home during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Kelly revealed that she and Brandon were at their shared ranch in Montana. During a virtual discussion in May 2020 with other coaches from The Voice, Kelly referred to her then-husband as her «partner in crime».
However, things took a sharp turn because two months later she filed for divorce from Brandon in June 2020.
In her divorce filing, Kelly cited «irreconcilable differences» as the reason for their split, according to multiple sources. The couple did not finalize their divorce until 2022, as they were embroiled in various legal disputes, including custody of their children and their shared property in Montana. Ultimately, Kelly was ordered to pay Brandon over $ 1 million upfront, as well as $ 115,000 per month in spousal support. However, he was later ordered to pay Kelly $ 2.6 million due to several deals he controlled for Kelly’s career.
The following year, the «Because of You» singer gave fans insight into her and Brandon’s breakup.
«If you’re on the same path at the same time — and you’re really working together, and you’re communicating every day and doing the work — I think it can be beautiful. But for me, it wasn’t that and it was very limiting», - she noted during an appearance on the «We Can Work It Out» podcast in 2023. «It's my fault that I let this happen. Maybe, as in love, I just wasn’t ready, and maybe the other side wasn’t either».
The former spouses are raising two children together: son Remington Alexander and daughter River Rose. Kelly welcomed River Rose in
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
