Kelly Clarkson is putting her children first as she adjusts to life after the death of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock. During an appearance on Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers’ podcast Las Culturistas, the 44-year-old singer explained why she has no plans to begin a new relationship anytime soon. Clarkson shares two children, River, 12, and Remington, 10, with Blackstock, who died in August 2025 at age 48 after battling cancer for more than three years. She admitted that bringing someone new into their lives could disrupt the family’s emotional balance while the children continue navigating their loss. “My kids right now, I think — there’s a lot behind that — but I think that would rock their boat a little bit,” she explained. Clarkson also acknowledged that relationships require time and emotional commitment, adding that she is currently unwilling to give up the independence and family time she values. After years of personal challenges, she says she has finally reached a point where she no longer feels constantly exhausted.
The singer’s decision comes after a difficult period that included her divorce, a lengthy legal dispute, and the loss experienced by her family. Clarkson and Blackstock married in 2013 before finalizing their divorce in 2022. Following his death, she focused on helping River and Remington feel secure while allowing them to grieve in their own way. She has previously described the comfort she finds in spending quiet moments with her children, including cuddling together and talking before bedtime. Clarkson has also made significant changes to her professional life, with The Kelly Clarkson Show ending after seven seasons so she could prioritize her family. Although she has stepped away from the daily demands of hosting, she plans to continue making music, performing for fans, and appearing on The Voice. For now, romance is not her priority. Clarkson appears content to protect the peaceful life she has rebuilt, concentrating on her children, her career, and her own well-being rather than rushing into another relationship.
