Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock experienced a shocking divorce that left many fans in disbelief, particularly after they enjoyed nearly seven years of marriage. The talented pop singer and talk show host took the step to file for divorce in 2020, citing irreconcilable differences. However, the ensuing legal disputes unveiled deeper issues that contributed to their separation. As the “Miss Independent” artist initiated the divorce proceedings, fans were left pondering: what went wrong in their relationship?
Despite the challenges of their separation, Kelly has remained a supportive presence for Brandon during his significant health struggles. In August 2025, she made the difficult decision to postpone her Las Vegas residency, explaining that her children’s father was unwell. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she expressed her commitment to being fully present for her children during this difficult time, extending her gratitude to fans for their understanding. Tragically, just a day later, Brandon passed away due to cancer, marking a heartbreaking chapter in their family story.
Continue reading to discover comprehensive details about their divorce and insights into their family dynamics.
Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas.
While I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children’s father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them.
I am sincerely sorry to… pic.twitter.com/eDNxHdjtlh
— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) August 7, 2025
When Did Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock Begin Their Relationship?
The journey of the former couple began in 2006 when they first crossed paths, but their romantic involvement didn’t spark until early 2012. At that time, Brandon was still navigating his marriage with his ex-wife Melissa Ashworth, which concluded later that year. By late 2012, the couple had taken a significant step forward by getting engaged, with Kelly expressing her joy on Twitter (now known as X), referring to the proposal as the “happiest night of my life.”
Reflecting on that pivotal moment, Kelly shared her emotions with People magazine at the time. She recounted how, in a spontaneous moment, she expressed gratitude towards Brandon, saying, “Thanks for being an awesome guy.” She noted that she had never previously experienced such profound love from a man, emphasizing how grateful she felt for the relationship. The couple celebrated their marriage in 2013, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
Throughout their marriage, Kelly openly discussed the depth of their love and connection. During a candid interview on SiriusXM in 2017, the “Behind These Hazel Eyes” singer revealed that she had never felt sexually attracted to anyone before Brandon. While clarifying that she held no ill feelings towards her past partners, Kelly remarked, “I honestly thought I was asexual — I’d never been turned on like that in my whole life. I was like, ‘Oh that’s that feeling … OK! That’s what they were talking about in Waiting to Exhale. I just got it.”
By 2019, Brandon, who also served as Kelly’s manager, encouraged her to embark on her own talk show journey, which eventually became the highly acclaimed The Kelly Clarkson Show. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while many were confined to their homes, Kelly revealed that she and Brandon were living on their Montana ranch. In a virtual chat with her fellow coaches from The Voice in May 2020, she affectionately referred to her husband as her “partner in crime,” indicating a strong bond at that time.
However, the dynamics of their relationship took a dramatic shift just two months later when Kelly made the difficult decision to file for divorce from Brandon in June 2020, indicating significant underlying issues.
Why Did Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock Choose to Separate?
In her official divorce filing, Kelly cited “irreconcilable differences” as the primary reason for their separation, as reported by various media outlets. The couple’s divorce was not finalized until 2022 due to a series of protracted legal disputes, including contentious matters such as child custody and their shared property in Montana. Ultimately, the court ordered Kelly to pay Brandon over $1 million initially, along with $115,000 monthly in spousal support. However, Brandon was subsequently required to pay Kelly $2.6 million as a result of several business dealings he managed on her behalf.
In a later interview, the “Because of You” artist provided fans with deeper insights into the complexities of her and Brandon’s breakup, revealing the challenges they faced.
“If you’re on the same path at the same time — and you’re actually working together, and every day communicating together and doing the work — I think that it could be beautiful. But for me, it wasn’t that and it was very limiting,” she shared during her 2023 appearance on the “We Can Do Hard Things” podcast. “That’s my fault, for allowing that to happen. Maybe, as in love as I was, I just wasn’t ready and maybe the other person wasn’t either.”
How Many Children Are there from Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock’s Marriage?
The former couple is the proud parents of two beautiful children: their son, Remington Alexander, and their daughter, River Rose. Kelly welcomed River Rose into the world in 2014, followed by the birth of Remington in 2016, establishing a loving family dynamic amidst their personal challenges.
