This post has been updated since it was originally published on 07/16/2023.
Kelly Clarkson is continuing to open up about her tumultuous divorce from ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, and the impact that it continues to have on their two children—and fans are heartbroken, saying on Instagram, “[I] really feel for Kelly.”
The Kelly Clarkson Show host, 41, appeared on the Wednesday, July 5th episode of the Podcrushed podcast and said their two children, River Rose, 9, and Remington Alexander, 7, are questioning the “definition of love” following her and the 46-year-old music manager’s divorce.
Kelly Clarkson Says Her Children Are Questioning The ‘Definition Of Love’ Following Divorce
“When you do go through a divorce, especially with young kids, the definition of love comes up quite a bit,” the American Idol alum confessed, before going on to say that her son and daughter ask her, “So you don’t love daddy anymore?”
The Voice coach recalled telling them, “I love that daddy gave me you two. We just don’t like each other like we did. It’s just different now.” She then said, “You can see it on their face, they question, ‘Can your love change for me?'” which she confessed was always one of the hardest parts of the conversation.
Clarkson also went on to talk about how her relationship with her late, estranged father affected her children. “It’s hard,” she continued. “And then it’s hard when they go, ‘Why don’t I have a grandpa from you? You told me love is different with a parent and a child than with a husband and a wife. But it’s not because your dad left you.'”
Kelly Clarkson Previously Opened Up About Her Divorce And Its Continued Impact On Her Children
The "Mine" singer previously opened up about parenting her children following the divorce when she appeared on the March 13th episode of the Angie Martinez IRL Podcast. She said at the time, "I literally ask my kids every night when we’re snuggling, 'Are you happy? And if you’re not, what could make you happier?'"
The "Stronger" singer then shared the heartbreaking response to the question from her daughter and son, and she spoke about the importance of encouraging her children to always be honest. This, she stressed, is to help them feel more comfortable in their home following their parents’ split.
Clarkson added, regarding her kids, "Sometimes they’ll say, especially the past two years, and it kills me and I want them to be honest, so I don’t ever say, 'Oh god, don’t tell me that,' but a lot of times it would be like, 'You know, I’m just really sad. I wish mommy and daddy were in the same house.'"
The Grammy winner went on, "They’re really honest about it." She also shared how much she appreciates them being candid: "I’m raising that kind of individual. I want you to be honest with me." While the "Since U Been Gone" hitmaker acknowledged how hard this is to hear from her kids, she said that she can understand their feelings because she grew up in a similar situation.
"I just sit there and I’m like, 'I get it. I’m from a divorced family as well. I get it. That sucks. But we’re going to work it out. And you are so loved by both of us,'" Clarkson said. "I think communicating with them and not treating them – not treating them like an adult, because they’re not – but not treating them like a child. They’re not small feelings. Those are huge feelings, and those are huge emotions."
Fans Express Support After Podcast Interview: '[I] Really Feel For Kelly'
Listeners of Podcrushed immediately expressed both excitement over the interview and sadness for what Kelly has been going through in the aftermath of her tumultuous divorce. "The whole album is so vulnerable," wrote one follower on a Podcrushed Instagram post featuring a clip of the singer discussing her newest studio album, Chemistry. "[I] really feel for Kelly."
Others also sympathized with the "Lighthouse" songstress: "I feel Kelly, she's so genuine and speaks truth, hope she's okay tho" with a bandaged-heart emoji. Another said of the new album, "This is her [most] personal album in my opinion. She literally gave us her whole heart."
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Chemistry is notable for containing several songs relating to the end of her marriage, including the single "Mine." In the lyrics, the Grammy winner sings, “I can’t believe I stayed as long as I stayed,” before expressing wishes for the subject of the song, pretty clearly her ex-husband. “I hope one day someone will take your heart and hold it tight / Make you feel like you’re invincible deep inside / And right when you think that it’s perfect they cross a line / And steal your shine / Like you did mine,” she belts.
Additionally, in the song "Red Flag Collector," she discusses her divorce settlement and the aftermath: "Sure, you can have the towels / You can take my money / Drag my name 'round town / I don’t mind, I changed it anyway." In the chorus, the talk show host seems to also refer to their battle over their Montana ranch, singing: "So run your mouth, puff your chest / Play cowboy in the wild, wild west. I don’t mind, take what’s left / High road livin' is what I do best."
Chemistry was released on June 23rd, 2023. Kelly will next be seen at her first-ever Las Vegas residency, "Chemistry: An Intimate Evening with Kelly Clarkson," which runs for 10 nights at the Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood from July 28th to August 19th, 2023.
