Kelly Clarkson reveals she ‘never wanted to get married’ to ex Brandon Blackstock

If Kelly Clarkson had her druthers, she never would have married Brandon Blackstock.

The multiple Grammy and Daytime Emmy Award winner has opened about her ill-fated marriage to her former husband-manager, from whom she finalized her divorce in 2022.

The “American Idol” alum first filed for divorce in 2020 after seven years of marriage.

“I never wanted to get married the first time,” she told People in an interview published this week. “[Brandon] had children, a religious background, and it was important, I think, for him. But I’ve never been that person. Because I’ve been through a couple divorces in my family, I just don’t like to put any weight on it.”

“It can happen; it doesn’t have to happen,” she said, when asked if she’d consider getting married again. “For my kids, I definitely would never even think about it until they’re out of my house.”

The exes share two young children — daughter River Rose, 9, and son Remington Alexander, 7.

On a 2020 episode of her eponymous daytime talk show, Clarkson said she “definitely didn’t see anything coming that came,” in her regards to the end of her marriage.

“Divorce is never easy, and we’re both from divorced families, so, you know, we know the best thing here is to protect our children and their little hearts,” the “Stronger” singer said at the time.

In March 2022, Clarkson was ordered to pay her ex a one-time payment of just over $1.32 million, monthly installments of $115,000 in spousal support until Jan. 31, 2024, and $45,601 monthly in child support for their kids.

But in November 2023, the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement ruled that Blackstock had to return more than $2.6 million to Clarkson for fees he took out from her projects when he was her manager.

Blackstock, the former stepson of country music star Reba McEntire, is reportedly weighing options to appeal that decision.

As far as her future love life is concerned, Clarkson isn’t ruling out romance again — but it will be on her terms.

“I told a friend [that a potential partner] would have to be an individual that brings their own life to the table without needing anything from me,” she shared.