'It kills me': Kelly Clarkson reveals her children's 'honest' reaction to divorce from Brandon Blackstock
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kelly Clarkson is being candid about how her two children are coping with her split from ex-husband Brandon Blackstock. On a March 13 episode of the 'Angie Martinez IRL' podcast, Clarkson appeared and spoke about raising son Remington Alexander, 6, and daughter River Rose, 8. Angie Martinez, the host and radio host, asked the 'Breakaway' singer to share a few lessons she taught her children during the hour-long conversation.
"I literally ask my kids every night when we're snuggling, 'Are you happy?' And if you're not, what could make you happier?'" Kelly revealed this on the March 13 episode of 'The Angie Martinez IRL Podcast,' reports E! News. The 40-year-old actress admired her children's honesty.
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'Wish mommy and daddy were in the same house'
The 'Stronger' singer said on the podcast, "Sometimes they'll say, especially the past two years, and it kills me and I want them to be honest, so I don't ever say, 'Oh god, don't tell me that,' but a lot of times it would be like, 'You know, I'm just really sad. I wish mommy and daddy were in the same house.'"
Clarkson said that she appreciates their sincerity because "they're really honest about it." "I'm raising that kind of individual. I want you to be honest with me," Clarkson said. While Clarkson acknowledged that it might be difficult to hear that from her children, she said she can empathize with their feelings because she experienced a similar upbringing.
“I just sit there and I’m like, ‘I get it,’” Clarkson said. She then assures her children, "‘That sucks. But we’re going to work it out. And you are so loved by both of us.’" The conversation between Clarkson and her children is "super simple" yet "so important" because it shows her children that their mother is open to communicating with them, Clarkson explained. “They’re not small feelings. Those are huge feelings, and those are huge emotions,” Clarkson said to Martinez, as per TODAY.com.
The 'Miss Independent' singer joked on the 'Angie Martinez IRL' podcast that she does not want to send her kids to college even though they're still in elementary school. Clarkson said she's confident that she and her kids will be ready when they go out into the world on their own one day. "I think I am my mother's child, and I'm raising very independent children," she said. "They will be out the door as soon as they are able and capable. They are very independent, and I was the same way," Clarkson said.
Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock divorce
After seven years of marriage, Kelly and Brandon divorced in June 2020. At the time, the 'Voice' star claimed their separation was due to irreconcilable differences when she filed for divorce. Court documents show the ex-couple officially finalized their divorce in March 2022. Kelly's children tell her not only how they perceive the dynamic, but also what they think of her, reports E! News.
In October 2013, the couple said yes to each other in Tennessee. "Brandon's totally the one," the music megastar revealed to Cosmopolitan, "I've never been so happy," Clarkson gushed. Since then, the couple has supported each other in their personal and professional lives, making the divorce news shocking to numerous pop culture fans. Brandon also has two children from a previous marriage. Clarkson is asking for joint legal and physical guardianship of their children.
As for new love in the future, Clarkson said that she's open to love, but has firm plans to never marry again. "I won't be getting married," the musician declared."In my life, I've been through a couple of divorces in my own family as a kid. I would love to fall in love. I would love to find someone and fall in love and do that thing, but I have children and that's why I say [that.]"