In the wake of her tumultuous divorce from Brandon Blackstock, renowned singer and television personality Kelly Clarkson has made a significant life change. She has relocated from the sun-soaked streets of Los Angeles to the bustling heart of New York City, seeking a "fresh start" and a new chapter in her life.
Clarkson, 41, candidly opened up about her decision in an interview with USA Today. "I'll be real honest: I thought I was making a horrible decision," she admitted. Despite her initial reservations, the allure of a new beginning was too strong to resist. "I knew I needed a fresh start and couldn't be in L.A. I really wanted to be in Montana, but you can't really do a show from there quite yet. So I was like, 'The only other option would probably be New York.'"
This move wasn't just about her personal well-being. The relocation also involved her daytime talk show, "The Kelly Clarkson Show," which has now shifted its base to New York for its fifth season. The show's studio is now situated at the iconic 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
The decision to move was also influenced by her children, River Rose, 9, and Remington, 7. After being awarded primary custody in March 2022, Clarkson wanted to ensure that her new environment was conducive for her kids. "I genuinely love it, and I love that my kids love it," she said, emphasizing the importance of living near a park for her children's benefit.
The backdrop to this significant life change is her divorce from Blackstock, which was finalized in March 2022 after she filed in June 2020. The split was far from amicable, with the couple citing "irreconcilable differences." As part of the settlement, Blackstock was granted $115,000 monthly in spousal support until January 2024 and an additional $45,600 monthly for child support.
Clarkson's emotional turmoil during this period was palpable. "Full disclosure, I put on a smile a lot of those times because I was struggling a lot in my personal life," she revealed. This personal strife even influenced her decision to leave "The Voice," a show she had been a part of for nine seasons. "I was like, 'I'm struggling. I can't smile anymore. I don't feel like smiling,'" she confessed.
However, with the start of the fifth season of "The Kelly Clarkson Show" on October 16, the singer seems to be in a much better place. "Not only with my kids, but with me personally and with the show. I feel like a weight has lifted. That move was very needed," she expressed. Clarkson's journey from the depths of personal challenges to finding joy again is a testament to her resilience and determination.
