Kelly Clarkson Still ‘Wants to Remain Close With Her Step-Kids’ From Ex-husband Who Defrauded Her for 13 Years

Kelly Clarkson and ex-husband Brandon Blackstock were once a power couple in Hollywood and seemed to have had a great relationship. However, their split made more headlines than their marriage.

Kelly Clarkson has made a name for herself since she first stepped into the music world over a decade ago. However, her pursuit of successful family life has not worked out well.

Clarkson was married to her former talent manager, Brandon Blackstock. However, things ended in a messy divorce after the singer realized her husband was duping her.

The "Stronger" singer shares a long history with Brandon, whose father, Narvel Blackstock, was once her manager. Clarkson met Brandon in 2006 through Narvel. The duo was later reintroduced during Super Bowl XLVI in 2012. She was in her early 30s.

Clarkson was one of the honored guests at the yearly game. She sang the National Anthem that year, but it seems her performance caught the attention of Brandon, and the two struck up a conversation inside the stadium.

THEIR BIG WEDDING AND STARTING A FAMILY

Brandon and Clarkson progressed quickly after their reunion. Their relationship was a massive part of the singer's life, and she never shied away from expressing her optimism about their relationship.

During a 2012 appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," Clarkson confessed that she was in love with Brandon, adding that she expected him to pop the question. A few weeks later, the couple announced their engagement.

With country music buddy Blake Shelton officiating the wedding, the Clarkson-Blackstock marriage began as a big deal, but the pair soon stopped it. The couple said they were overwhelmed by the leakage of their wedding details.

The couple went for an even simpler wedding involving Brandon's teenage children from his first marriage, Savannah, and Seth, alongside an officiant.

Family life started quickly for the newlyweds. Clarkson announced that she and her new husband were expecting their first child just one month after their wedding.

The news of her pregnancy came as no surprise, as the singer had announced her desire to start a family. Her baby-craving was in part triggered by her relationship with her stepchildren.

RUMORS OF INFIDELITY AND SPLITTING AMID COVID-19

The couple suddenly announced their divorce in June 2020, alleging "irreconcilable differences" after quarantining together at Clarkson's Montana ranch.

Brandon opposed their prenuptial agreement in court, which a judge upheld. Clarkson was granted full possession of all her assets but lost her bid to evict him from the ranch. Reports emerged that things had become strained between the pair during the lockdown and had reached a peak.

Clarkson's marriage to Brandon encountered several tense moments. Shortly after their daughter was born, the couple faced reports that Brandon had cheated on his famous wife. However, Clarkson defended her husband and dismissed such claims.

However, disputes of how Brandon managed his wife's fortune were said to have become a bone of contention between the pair in addition to their growing distance.

INTENSE LEGAL BATTLE WITH BRANDON AND HIS FATHER

Clarkson's split from Brandon was far from peaceful. Although the singer claimed she had tried to prevent a divorce for the sake of their daughter, things reached a breaking point.

Clarkson gave a possible hint over why their split was inevitable when she mentioned on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" that certain people are not right at some points in life.

She said, "People, like, could be bad for you in a certain time. And I think that everybody just goes, 'Oh, well, that means they're bad.' Well, it doesn't necessarily mean that; it just means that you're on different paths. And I think that that's okay."

Shortly after their divorce, Clarkson moved to protect her wealth and ensure their prenuptial agreement stood. However, the singer withheld specific details of their split for the sake of their children.

Her respect for their kids did not stop them from going full force in a legal battle. Clarkson, said to be worth $45 million, was temporarily ordered to pay Brandon a monthly $200k in spousal and child support. The "The Voice" coach was also awarded custody of their children.

The 39-year-old singer still has her eyes set on the ranch. A judge ruled in August 2021 that Brandon would be accountable for the ranch's monthly expenses. However, if he didn't make the payments, Clarkson would be permitted to try to sell the property.

Clarkson decided earlier last month to give her ex-husband a 51.2 percent share of the Montana property, worth $908,800 out of a total value of $17,750,000. The rest of their estate will be the subject of a trial.

Clarkson's bad blood with her husband also spilled into her relationship with her former management company, owned by Brandon's father.

Starstruck Management Group sued the singer noting that they had been owed almost $1.4 million in unpaid commissions. The lawsuit alleges an oral contract breach and sought accounting remedies.

Despite the accusations levied against her, Clarkson felt she had been robbed by her ex-husband, who she said defrauded her through illegal services over the years.

Clarkson claims her oral contract with Starstruck Management in 2007 was a fraudulent and deceptive scheme. She also accused Brandon, her manager, and his father, Narvel Blackstock, of operating as unlicensed talent managers.

Responding to Clarkson's claims, Brandon denied ripping off his ex-wife. Instead, he requested that her allegations be dismissed, and she pays her debt to him.

CLARKSON'S LIFE AFTER DIVORCE

Co-parenting with Brandon, according to Clarkson, is a challenging experience. The mom of two spends more time with their two kids but admits that communicating with her ex could be challenging.

Despite their fight over properties and other claims, Brandon and Clarkson try to act in the best interest of their children, and the singer claimed she would love to stay in touch with her stepchildren regardless of the sad end to things.

Clarkson shared a close relationship with Savannah and Seth from Brandon's first marriage; however, the divorce proceedings put the entire family in a cold state.

A source close to the singer said, "She's always thought of Seth and Savannah as her own too, and she has a special relationship with both of them. Kelly wants to remain close with her step-kids."

Clarkson faced a difficult time informing her kids about the divorce. The show host loves to be open about her life, but considering the sensitivity of her kids, she opted to share as many little details with them as possible.

CLARKSON IS NOT OPEN TO LOVE

Clarkson has a busy life with her show and two children. However, many have wondered if the singer would find love again. For now, the 39-year-old has said that she has no plans to walk down the aisle again.

In an episode of her podcast, "LoveSomeoneWithDelilah," Clarkson said, "I do know I won't get married again, but I just mean you never know about love, it's one of those things where we're engineered — especially from where I'm from ‚ to have [a need] to have that. I don't have that need."

Clarkson is never short of suitors, but she doesn't seem to be ready to take anyone in. The "The Voice" coach once joked that she might be "single forever." However, her fans would hope she finds happiness after a difficult time.