Celebrity

Why did Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock divorce?

By Bhavya Rai
Why did Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock divorce?

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Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock’s split shocked many fans. They had been married for almost seven years before Kelly filed for divorce in 2020. She cited irreconcilable differences. The legal battle that followed hinted at deeper problems in their relationship.

Kelly was the one who initiated the breakup. Many wondered what had happened between them. The couple had shared a life, children, and years of memories, so the end felt sudden to outsiders.

Even after the divorce, Kelly stayed connected to Brandon because of their children. In August 2025, she paused the rest of her Las Vegas residency. She told fans that the father of her kids had been unwell. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she said she needed to be fully present for her children during that time. She thanked her supporters for understanding.

Tragically, just one day later, Brandon died from cancer. His death brought a wave of sympathy for Kelly and their children, as they faced an unimaginable loss so soon after years of public legal struggles.

When did Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock start dating? 

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock first crossed paths in 2006. At the time, Brandon was still married to Melissa Ashworth, so nothing romantic happened. Years later, in early 2012, after Brandon’s divorce was finalized, they began dating. Their relationship moved quickly. By the end of that year, they were engaged.

Kelly shared the happy news on Twitter, calling it the happiest night of her life. She later told People that Brandon’s proposal was heartfelt and unexpected. She remembered thanking him for being such an amazing man, saying she had never been loved that way before. In 2013, they married in a beautiful ceremony.

Throughout their marriage, Kelly spoke openly about their strong connection. In 2017, she revealed on SiriusXM that she had never felt such a deep attraction to anyone before Brandon. She even admitted she once thought she might be asexual until she met him. He made her understand what real chemistry felt like.

Brandon also played a role in her career. In 2019, while managing her, he encouraged her to start The Kelly Clarkson Show, which became a big success. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the couple stayed together at their Montana ranch. In May of that year, Kelly called him her partner in crime during a virtual chat with her fellow The Voice coaches.

But just two months later, everything changed. In June 2020, Kelly filed for divorce, ending what once looked like a perfect love story.

 

Why did Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock divorce? 

When Kelly Clarkson filed for divorce in June 2020, court documents listed “irreconcilable differences” as the cause. What followed was a long and complicated legal process that stretched until 2022. The two clashed over child custody and ownership of their Montana ranch, among other issues.

In the final settlement, Kelly had to pay Brandon more than $1 million upfront plus $115,000 a month in spousal support. However, the tables turned when a later ruling required Brandon to pay her $2.6 million, tied to business deals he had managed during their marriage.

By 2023, Kelly opened up more about why the relationship ended. On the We Can Do Hard Things podcast, she explained that a healthy marriage needs both partners moving in the same direction, communicating, and doing the work every day. For her, that wasn’t happening. She admitted she allowed the dynamic to become limiting and acknowledged that maybe neither of them was truly ready for the marriage, despite how in love they had been.

 

How many kids does Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock have? 

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock share two children: daughter River Rose, born in 2014, and son Remington Alexander, born in 2016.

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