Kelly Clarkson Prioritizes Children's Well-being Over Dating After Ex-Husband's Death
The singer revealed she is not seeking new relationships to avoid disrupting her children as they grieve their father, Brandon Blackstock.
Kelly Clarkson, 44, has stated she is not currently pursuing romantic relationships out of consideration for her two children, River, 12, and Remington, 10. The singer emphasized that introducing a new partner into her life at this time would be too disruptive for them as they continue to process the death of their father.
Clarkson married Brandon Blackstock, her former manager's son, in 2013. Their divorce was finalized in 2022 after a protracted legal battle. Blackstock passed away last August at the age of 48 following a private battle with skin cancer. Clarkson attended his funeral.
Speaking on the podcast "Las Culturistas," Clarkson explained her decision, stating, "My kids right now, I think - there's a lot behind that - but I think that would rock their boat a little bit." She added, "Honestly, this is not a bulls*** answer: I love my life right now. It just got to where I am not exhausted at every point of it." She noted that being in a relationship requires dedicating time, a commitment she is currently unwilling to make.
In the year following Blackstock's death, sources indicated Clarkson focused on providing stability and emotional support for River and Remington. An insider told Page Six that "Losing a parent at such a young age is something no child should ever have to go through. Kelly has done everything she can to be there for River and Remy as they’ve navigated that loss." The focus has been on ensuring the children feel "loved, supported and as stable as possible while giving them the space to grieve in their own way."
Clarkson has reportedly developed a "different perspective" in the year since Blackstock's death. While acknowledging that "she still has moments that are incredibly hard, but she’s in a much better place than she was during the divorce years," according to the insider. Her return to "The Voice" and her music endeavors are seen as fitting into a lifestyle that allows her to balance her career and family life.
Her decision to end her daytime talk show, "The Kelly Clarkson Show," earlier this year was reportedly driven by the need for more time and flexibility to prioritize her family. "Ending her own daytime series... wasn’t an easy decision because she genuinely loved it, but it gave her the time and flexibility she needed to put her family first," a source told the Daily Mail.
Blackstock's death occurred after he had reportedly begun a relationship with Clarkson's former assistant, Brittney Marie Jones. His obituary stated he had "found his way back to the mountains and the cowboy way of life he always wanted to live" in Butte, Montana. The divorce proceedings between Clarkson and Blackstock involved disputes over custody, finances, and their Montana ranch. Clarkson was granted primary custody of their children and was ordered to pay Blackstock alimony and child support. She also successfully sued Blackstock for unauthorized financial dealings on her behalf, resulting in him repaying her $2.6 million.
Following Blackstock's death, a source told the Daily Mail that Clarkson had contemplated whether the stress of their contentious divorce might have impacted his health. While acknowledging that the timing could be coincidental, she was aware of the significant tension the divorce and legal battles imposed on him.