Kelly Clarkson Thanks Girlfriends for Getting Her through Her Divorce

Singer, songwriter, and talk show host Kelly Clarkson opened up on her show this week while sitting down with The Chicks, saying it was her girlfriends who helped get her through her divorce from ex-husband Brandon Blackstock.

On Monday’s episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, the American Idol winner interviewed Nathalie Maines, Martie Maguire, and Emily Strayer, and talked about the topic of divorce and how to remain authentic in your work. She asked the women how they feel being so open writing lyrics while navigating things like kids and friendships, all while being under a microscope.

Clarkson, who married Blackstock in 2013, filed for divorce in 2020, but it wasn’t until earlier this year that everything was finalized.

After talking about the importance of being truthful, Clarkson said, “So, we all went through divorces,” and asked the trio if they leaned on one another when they went through theirs. “But [what about] your female friendships?” she asked. “I feel like that has really helped me.”

The group joked that Maines and Maguire became “divorce buddies” early on in their careers when they both navigated ending their marriages at the same time. They also said it was hard for them to admit, feeling like a failure that they didn’t know anyone at the time who was going through something similar.

“I was feeling like everybody was going to judge me because I thought I was first getting the divorce,” Maguire said.

Divorce isn’t easy, especially when you share children. Having close friends you can lean on, share frustrations, and laugh/cry/scream with is so important. It’s a life-altering, emotional time, and without good friends, it can feel even more isolating.

For Clarkson, who shares two children, River Rose and Remington Alexander, with Blackstock, the process has been long. She finally reached a divorce settlement in March 2022, receiving primary custody of both children. Her ex, who lives in Montana, will receive monthly spousal and child support.

Luckily for Clarkson, she’s got a solid network. “I’ve been talking to friends that have been through a divorce,” said Clarkson during an appearance on TODAY in 2020. “I don’t know how people go through that without having some kind of outlet because it is the worst thing ever for everyone involved.”