Kelly Clarkson breaks down her decision not to date after ex Brandon Blackstock’s death

By Page Six | Created at 2026-10-01 14:46:31 | Updated at 2026-10-01 17:38:20 3 hours ago

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Kelly Clarkson wants to stay single to prioritize spending time with her kids following her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock’s death.

“My kids right now — I think there’s a lot behind that, but that would rock their boat a little bit,” the singer said of why she’s choosing not to date on the “Las Culturistas” podcast Wednesday.

The Grammy winner insisted that she is content on her decision, however, and doesn’t think she can make room in her life for a romantic partner.

Kelly Clarkson (pictured Wednesday) isn’t dating so she can prioritize her kids following her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock’s death. Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
The singer (pictured with her two young children, Blackstock and his two children in 2019) said if she dated it would “rock [her kids’] boat a little bit.” Getty Images

“Honestly, this is not a bulls—t answer, I love my life right now. It just got to where I am not exhausted at every point of it. I feel like if you’re going to be in a relationship, you have to be willing to give some of your time up and I am unwilling.”

She also gushed about how nice it’s been to be able to spend time with her two kids — daughter River, 12, and son Remington, 10 — whom she shared with Blackstock.

“It’s been really good and we’re having fun. We’re cooking, we’re playing games. I’m there at pick-up or I’m there at drop-off. It’s real different.”

The Grammy winner (pictured with a friend and her two kids) said she is “unwilling” to give up her time for a romantic partner right now. kellyclarkson/instagram
She also gushed about all the “fun” she has with her daughter, River, and son, Remington (seen above). kellyclarkson/Instagram

Blackstock died in August 2025 at 48 following a battle with cancer.

He and Clarkson wed in 2013 and settled their divorce in 2022 after years of contentious court battles.

Six months after his passing, Page Six reported that the “America Idol” winner would be leaving her NBC eponymous daytime talk show, which Clarkson confirmed a month later.

Blackstock (pictured with Clarkson in happier times) died in August 2025 following a battle with cancer. Instagram/@kellyclarkson
The pair wed in 2013 and finalized their contentious divorce in 2022. Instagram/@kellyclarkson

“[This] will allow me to prioritize my kids, which feels necessary and right for this next chapter of our lives,” she wrote in part in February.

Last month, a source exclusively told Page Six, “Kelly has done everything she can to be there for River and Remy as they’ve navigated that loss.”

“Her focus has been making sure they feel loved, supported and as stable as possible while giving them the space to grieve in their own way.”

The mom of two walked away from her eponymous daytime talk show last month and was joined by her kids for the final episode, as seen above. Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Clarkson was open about the fact that she made the decision to walk away for her kids. Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

The singer officially bid goodbye to “The Kelly Clarkson Show” on Aug. 31 after seven years, calling the moment “bittersweet.”

“My kiddos have always come first, they’re a big reason I did this show, just [for] the stability, the schedule,” Clarkson said during the finale.

“They’re also a big reason it’s time to say goodbye,” she added. “I’m such a proud mama. They’re the greatest kiddos in the world.”

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