Kelly Clarkson's Shocking Confessions: Revealed on 'We Can Do Hard Things' Podcast

Kelly Clarkson has been open about her tumultuous divorce from Brandon Blackstock, even incorporating her experiences into her music. During an episode of the "We Can Do Hard Things With Glennon Doyle" podcast, the singer shared her thoughts on the unhealthy nature of a relationship that involves constant love and hate. She admitted that once she was able to break free from the emotional tug-of-war, she realized how much better life could be.

After seven years of marriage, Kelly Clarkson filed for divorce from her husband, Brandon Blackstock, in June 2020. The divorce proceedings turned into a lengthy legal battle over their shared marital assets, including a Montana residence where Blackstock resided, and custody of their two young children, River Rose and Remington, which lasted for two years. Eventually, in March 2022, Clarkson agreed to pay Blackstock a one-time sum of $1.3 million and $115,000 per month in spousal support until January 2024. Additionally, she agreed to pay $45,601 a month in child support until their children are no longer minors. Despite the financial settlement, Clarkson was granted primary custody of their children, and Blackstock received monthly visitations. In May 2023, Clarkson announced that she and her children would be moving to the East Coast as her talk show relocates to film in New York City.

Clarkson believes that dependency in a relationship detracts from the core loving relationship. She emphasizes that she chooses her partner, and that she could freely give her love to anyone, but chooses to give it exclusively to her partner. Despite this, some people may not agree with her perspective. On her latest album, Chemistry, Clarkson delves into her past romance and personal growth. While she considered starting the album at the beginning of her relationship, she ultimately felt it was sonically odd.

"The ups and downs of our relationship felt like a rollercoaster," she joked. "It's normal for things to be that way, but it certainly takes a toll on you emotionally."

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Kelly Clarkson Gets Candid About Brandon Blackstock Relationship, Divorce and More Revelations on ‘We Can Do Hard Things’ Podcast

The full truth. Kelly Clarkson hasn’t held back when talking — or singing — about her ex Brandon Blackstock.

During an episode of the "We Can Do Hard Things With Glennon Doyle" podcast, Kelly Clarkson opened up about her tumultuous divorce from Brandon Blackstock. The singer, who shares two children with Blackstock, admitted that constantly feeling torn between loving and hating her ex-husband was not healthy. Clarkson explained that once she was able to break free from the toxic cycle, she realized how much better it felt to move on. The couple's legal battle over their assets and custody of their children lasted for two years.

In March of 2022, Kelly Clarkson, the host of The Kelly Clarkson Show, agreed to pay her ex-husband a lump sum of $1.3 million and provide him with $115,000 per month in spousal support until January of 2024. Additionally, she agreed to pay Blackstock $45,601 per month in child support until their children reach adulthood. Despite this, Clarkson was awarded primary custody of their children, with Blackstock receiving visitation rights. In May of 2023, Clarkson announced that she and her children would be moving to the East Coast due to her talk show relocating to New York City.

During an interview with Glennon Doyle, Clarkson explained her belief that dependency in a relationship detracts from the core of a loving partnership. She emphasized that she chooses to give herself freely and exclusively to her partner, rather than feeling obligated to do so. While some may not agree with her perspective, she finds it beautiful.

Clarkson recently released her 10th studio album, Chemistry, which delves into her past romance and the changes she made in her personal life. When discussing the album on a podcast, she revealed that she had considered starting the record at the beginning of her relationship but ultimately decided against it due to sonic reasons. She joked that the relationship was a rollercoaster and that the track sequencing reflects the ups and downs she experienced.

Keep scrolling for Clarkson’s biggest revelations about Blackstock:

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Lust at First Sight

"I remember the first time I laid eyes on my ex. It was like something shifted inside me, a feeling I had never experienced before. It was primal, almost animalistic. It wasn't until years later that we crossed paths again and our fiery romance began. I refused to settle for anything less than that intense connection. Once you've felt something that powerful, you can't settle for less. It's an addictive feeling, one that can lead to foolish decisions. But it's also a beautiful high that we all crave."

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Contemplating the Breakup

Love can be a complicated emotion, especially when it comes to making tough decisions like divorce. Even the “Stronger” artist herself struggled with uncertainty before making the final call. “It's difficult to know whether you're doing the right thing when love is involved. Love has a way of clouding your judgment and making you question everything,” she shared. “But ultimately, when you love someone deeply, it's never easy to let go.”

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Dimming Her Light

"I take responsibility for losing my light. It wasn't forced upon me, but rather a gradual process that went unnoticed. It's easy to allow someone to dim your light without realizing it, and I am not exempt from this experience," she shared.

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The Back and Forth

"It's not healthy to constantly feel like you're in a tug-of-war between loving someone and hating them," Clarkson shared. "It's emotionally draining and can really take a toll on you. But when you finally break free from that cycle, you realize how much better life can be."

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Feeling Stuck

"I felt constrained in my marriage and while I acknowledge that this may not be the case for all marriages, it certainly was for mine," said the "Because Of You" singer. "Perhaps, despite being deeply in love, neither of us was truly ready for the commitment. We tried our best to make it work, but unfortunately, it just didn't."

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Thinking of Her Kids

"I am concerned about the impact of our divorce on our children. Having been through divorce myself and knowing that Brandon has also experienced it in his family, I know firsthand the negative effects it can have on kids," she shared. "We have tried to make things work, but ultimately we have realized that it is not healthy for our family dynamic. It's a difficult situation no matter what, and I just want to minimize the impact on our children as much as possible."

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A Clean Slate

"I've learned to be more aware of warning signs in relationships. While I still see the potential in people, I now recognize when someone's behavior is a cause for concern," Clarkson revealed. "It's difficult to let go of that hope, but it's important to prioritize my own well-being and not give up on finding a healthy relationship."

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On Getting Married Again

“I believe that marriage is a wonderful thing, but it's not something that I see happening in my near future,” admitted Clarkson. “It's not for everyone and each person's journey is different. We all have our own paths to follow and our own choices to make.”

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What She Learned

Being truthful not only about those in our lives but also about ourselves is crucial, in my opinion. Instead of molding and justifying situations to fit our desired outcomes, we should allow ourselves to be truly honest about what is happening, even if it is not what we want.