LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kelly Clarkson is fully embracing her newfound single status after her divorce from Brandon Blackstock.
In a recent Instagram Live session, the 'American Idol' winner candidly shared that she is presently single and doesn't see herself getting into a relationship anytime soon.
Kelly Clarkson loves 'being single'
"Do I have a boyfriend? No! And not looking. You know why? I love being single," said Kelly Clarkson to her followers during the Instagram Live session.
"I have two kids, two dogs, three rabbits, a hamster, multiple jobs — there’s a lot going on," explained the 'Stronger' singer, adding, "And, you know, you think you’re going to spend the rest of your life with somebody, and you don’t. That’s hard to start over."
Kelly Clarkson’s dating history
Kelly Clarkson managed to keep most of her relationships out of the public eye before getting together with her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock.
Justin Guarini
In the early 2000s, fans strongly believed that Kelly Clarkson was in a relationship with Justin Guarini, the runner-up on 'American Idol'.
Rumors of a romantic involvement between them had surfaced during the first season of the singing competition, and as it turns out, fans weren't far from the truth.
Over a decade later, in 2015, Clarkson openly acknowledged on Andy Cohen's 'Watch What Happens Live' that she and Guarini had a fling.
"We didn't date during 'Idol,' which, everybody thought, but we did date during … I feel like we weren't dating during [From Justin to Kelly] but I feel like maybe we did," revealed the 'Catch My Breath' singer, as per Celebrity Nine.
"We did date a little bit. I think any two people who are thrown together that much would," added Clarkson.
Graham Colton
Kelly Clarkson briefly dated musician Graham Colton in 2005 when she was 23 and he was 24.
During that time, Colton's band, 'The Graham Colton Band', had the opportunity to open for Clarkson during her Breakaway and Hazel Eyes Tours. The duo's relationship reportedly lasted for only six months.
"He was in the studio, and we didn't even see each other. We were both like, 'This doesn't make sense'," stated Clarkson to US Weekly in 2006, claiming that being on tour was the reason behind their split.
Ryan Key
Kelly Clarkson apparently had a brief romantic involvement with Ryan Key, the lead vocalist of Yellowcard, in 2006. Their relationship was short-lived, spanning only six months, and not much is known about it.
Brandon Blackstock
Kelly Clarkson's relationship with Brandon Blackstock was a whirlwind romance that began in 2006 when they met during the Academy of Country Music Awards rehearsals. However, they officially started dating in February 2012.
The couple's love for each other quickly grew, leading to an engagement by the end of the same year, and they married in October 2013.
Their first child, River Rose, was born in 2014, quickly followed by the addition of a son, Remington Alexander, in April 2016.
Clarkson filed for divorce from Blackstock in June 2020, citing irreconcilable differences after being married for nearly seven years, according to PEOPLE Magazine.
The divorce proceedings involved disputes over child custody and their shared Montana ranch, resulting in a finalized divorce settlement in March 2022.
Following their separation, Clarkson relocated to New York City with her two children to host her talk show.
"They love getting on the subway. My son doesn’t allow us to stand near him, so he looks like he’s by himself. He’s 7! I was like, ‘OK’ and he’s like, ‘No, I’m alone'," joked the singer in an Instagram Live, adding, "But I love it here. I think it’s what you surround yourself with," as per PEOPLE Magazine.
