Kelly Clarkson, known far and wide for her incredible vocals and heartfelt music, rose to fame as the first winner of American Idol and has since become one of the most cherished artists in music. Her personal life, however, took some unexpected turns, particularly her relationship with Brandon Blackstock, the stepson of country legend Reba McEntire.
Kelly and Brandon tied the knot in 2013, making them a seemingly perfect couple in the eyes of their fans. Their chemistry was palpable both on and off the stage. But behind the scenes, things began to change, and by June 2020, Kelly, at age 42, filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences.
According to insiders, it was revealed that Kelly often felt alone in her marriage. A source shared, “As the years went by, Kelly felt she lacked a true partner in the marriage, feeling ‘single’ even while she was married to Brandon.”
The Divorce Struggle
The divorce was far from simple. It involved disputes over finance, custody of their two children—River, 10, and Remington, 8—and the ownership of their $10.4 million ranch located in Montana. This sprawling estate, characterized by its rustic log cabins and stunning mountain views, was an ideal place for relaxation and creativity. It had become a point of contention in their divorce battle as it was purchased during their marriage.
While Kelly envisioned this beautiful property as a retreat, Brandon had different plans. For him, it represented the ultimate ranching headquarters, setting the stage for a prolonged legal fight.
Tussle Over Property
After shifting from managing artists to pursuing full-time ranching, Brandon argued that moving away from the ranch would disrupt his plans. However, in 2021, the courts ruled in Kelly’s favor, citing her prenuptial agreement. The ruling determined that the Montana ranch and other properties were not marital assets owned jointly, as stated in the couple’s prenuptial agreement.
This legal victory for Kelly, however, didn’t translate immediately into possession of the estate. Brandon resisted vacating the premises, citing the need to relocate his fledgling ranch business. To remain on the property, he was required to pay $12,500 monthly in rent until June 2022 when he finally moved out.
New Beginnings
Since the conclusion of their divorce, Kelly has been awarded primary physical custody of their children and has started a new chapter in New York. Meanwhile, in 2023, a court ordered Brandon to pay her $2,641,374. This was for “overstepping in his managerial role and unlawfully procuring deals.” Kelly shared with People, “Divorce, especially one that’s publicized, is never an easy choice. It isn’t an overnight decision. I wanted to make it beautiful, everything it could be, but sometimes it just isn’t possible.”
Ranching Dreams Realized
Brandon has continued his ranching ambitions in Montana after the divorce, establishing Valley View Rodeo in 2023, committed to keeping the spirit of the western lifestyle alive. He is joined by Brittany Jones, his executive assistant. Interestingly, Brittany previously worked closely with Kelly as her day-to-day manager in Los Angeles before transitioning to Brandon’s new venture in Montana.
Her LinkedIn profile highlights how she now manages Brandon’s cattle operation and takes on various administrative duties. Their professional overlap raises intriguing questions about his choice to partner with someone formerly associated with Kelly. What do you think about the ongoing developments in Kelly and Brandon’s post-divorce lives? We would love to hear your thoughts on this dramatic and emotional tale.
