What Happened to Kelly Clarkson?

Kelly Clarkson's career has seen a significant evolution since her rise to fame as the first 'American Idol' winner in 2002. After years of chart-topping music, she successfully transitioned into daytime television with 'The Kelly Clarkson Show,' which premiered in 2019 and quickly garnered critical acclaim and numerous Daytime Emmy Awards, including multiple wins for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host.

A pivotal period in Clarkson's personal life began in June 2020 when she filed for divorce from her husband, Brandon Blackstock. The divorce proceedings were protracted, involving disputes over their Montana ranch and financial arrangements. She was declared legally single in August 2021, with the broader divorce settlement, including a one-time payment of over $1.3 million to Blackstock and monthly child and spousal support (which ended in January 2024), finalized in March 2022. A separate management-related litigation between Clarkson and Blackstock's company was confidentially settled in May 2024.

In 2023, 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' relocated its production from Los Angeles to 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, a move Clarkson cited as beneficial for her mental health and family life. That same year, she released her tenth studio album, 'Chemistry,' which explored the emotional aftermath of her divorce. A significant personal loss occurred in August 2025 when Brandon Blackstock passed away at 48 after a three-year battle with melanoma.

2025 also marked a new chapter in Clarkson's music career as she stepped away from Atlantic Records to release music independently under her own label, High Road Records. Her first independent single, 'Where Have You Been,' debuted in May 2025. She also launched her second Las Vegas residency, 'Kelly Clarkson: Studio Sessions,' at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, which commenced in July 2025. The residency proved highly popular, leading to additional dates being announced for 2026.

In February 2026, Clarkson announced the difficult decision to conclude 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' after its seventh season, which will air through Fall 2026. She stated that this decision was made to prioritize her children and allow for a more flexible schedule. Despite ending her talk show, she confirmed her return as a coach for Season 30 of 'The Voice.' Her 'Studio Sessions' residency continued through August 2026, with her final performances taking place in mid-August. During this residency, she released a new single, 'I'd Be Lyin',' in July 2026, expected to be the lead single from her forthcoming 11th studio album. Clarkson has openly shared her current contentment with being single, emphasizing her focus on motherhood and personal peace. On August 25, 2026, Clarkson paid tribute to the late Dolly Parton, highlighting Parton's kindness and talent.