It's apparent that tension remains between Kelly Clarkson and her former spouse, Brandon Blackstock. While promoting her album "When Christmas Comes Around… Again," Kelly made a few digs at Brandon.
In an “official album visualizer” on Kelly’s YouTube channel, a clip showed four stockings over a fireplace, marked with the names “Mom,” “River,” and “Remy.” The fourth stocking was labeled, “Nope.”
Kelly and Brandon, 48, share daughter River Rose and son Remington Alexander, making the “nope” a pointed reference to her ex. The couple was married for almost seven years until Kelly initiated the divorce in June 2020. Although Kelly, a former American Idol contestant, decided to end the relationship, a source informed Life & Style that she faced challenges adjusting to life as a single woman following the split.
“She’s finding the divorce tougher than she expected,” the source commented in July 2020. “Kelly felt that going through with the divorce was right at the time, but with Brandon’s legal response pending, she’s having some second thoughts.”
The insider also mentioned that Kelly kept herself occupied with her career and composing music, yet it didn’t completely distract her. The ongoing pandemic added to her isolation by limiting her ability to see friends or go out, leaving her feeling lonely and dependent on encouraging social media remarks from fans.
Eventually, Kelly and Brandon's relationship deteriorated significantly. They were recognized as legally single in August 2021, but their divorce was only finalized in March 2022. Kelly was required to pay Brandon a lump sum of $1.3 million and $200,000 monthly for spousal and child support until January 2024.
Steve Granitz / Getty ImagesIn November 2023, a court ordered Brandon to pay Kelly, known for her song "Stronger," $2.6 million after her allegations that he had overcharged her for booking fees.
This encompassed her engagements as a coach on The Voice, serving as the host of the Billboard Music Awards, and her partnerships with Wayfair and Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Kelly stated that Brandon had made nearly $2 million in commissions from her work as a coach on The Voice and that he earned .30 for securing her position as the host of the Billboard Music Awards.
She filed her second lawsuit against him in March, alleging that both he and his father, Narvel Blackstock, acted as unlicensed agents while arranging deals for their clients, including her, through Starstruck Entertainment.
In her legal action, Kelly sought the return of “any and all commissions, fees, profits, advances, producing fees or other monies” she had paid to Starstruck Entertainment since 2007, as reported by Billboard.
The court documents acquired by Rolling Stone stated, “Based on the wrongful acts and conduct of Starstruck, all agreements between the parties should be deemed void and unenforceable, no payments should be made by cross-complainants to Starstruck, and all funds previously given by cross-complainants to Starstruck should be returned immediately.”
Two months later, the dispute was settled, but the details of the agreement were not disclosed.