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Kelly Clarkson has been going through it over the past three years. She split from the father of her two young children, Brandon Blackstock, who along with his father was scamming her out of millions, and then spent two years divorcing Blackstock as he tried to scam her out of more millions. It’s also apparent that she’s spent the past three years working with a fabulous therapist, and lucky for us, she has also been working on a new album. Listening to her on the We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle podcast earlier this week, she is candid and nuanced about her relationship with herself and her ex and how she’s processed their divorce in this album, chemistry:
Kelly Clarkson loves to keep it real with her fans.
As Clarkson gears up for the release of her upcoming studio album chemistry, she opened up about what she learned after going through heartbreak and divorce during an interview on We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle on Tuesday.
“To not only be honest about those that are around me… but to be honest with myself,” the singer, 41, told the host of what she learned. “By no means do I think I’ve ever been a liar–I just think we mold things and shape them to justify them, instead of just being truly honest about what’s really happening because you don’t want it to be that way.”
She continued, “Be honest about… ‘I don’t really want that, that’s not for me.’ And being OK and comfortable enough, coming back to not having transactional relationships and that fear of losing something if you’re honest with them. Because you’re going to lose them anyway.”
The host went on to praise Clarkson for being someone who embodies “truth” for her openness and honesty.
The “Stronger” singer expressed how flattered she was and hilariously responded, “I think at a certain age we just get tired of trying to make everything shine. Sometimes a turd is a turd and you can’t polish it. Sometimes it’s what it is. It’s ok.”
Clarkson filed for divorce from ex Brandon Blackstock in 2020 after nearly seven years of marriage, and it was finalized two years later. The pair shares son Remington “Remy” Alexander, 7, and daughter River Rose, 8.5.
In May, she revealed why she decided to call the album chemistry–which is heavily inspired by her divorce–in an interview with Nancy O’Dell on TalkShopLive.
“I never really connected before my ex-husband. And I never connected with anybody like that. I’d never felt that. That kind of chemical… that level of just chemical reaction, I just never felt that and I remembered the first time we even met, I was like, ‘Woah.’ I just felt something.”
The mother of two went on to open up about the ups and downs of having chemistry with someone, adding, “And then it can go very poorly, chemistry. You can have amazing chemistry with somebody who you really shouldn’t be with, you know. Not that one person is good or bad, whatever. It’s just not a healthy environment.”
“I just feel like chemistry is a beautiful and amazing thing, but it’s powerful for the good and the bad. Makes you do stupid stuff.”
Listen to the podcast! She’s endearing without being preachy. I think it’s part of her down-home Southern girl image that makes it work so well–she’s so approachable that she can slip in deep thoughts under the radar. As for the comments about having blistering chemistry with someone who’s ultimately not right for you… well, yup. Absolutely. Just ask Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor Hilton Wilding Todd Fisher Burton Burton Warner Fortensky, may she rest in peace.
photos credit: Getty and JPI Studios / Avalon
Well, yes Elizabeth Taylor Hilton Wilding Todd Fisher Burton Burton Warner Fortensky is the embodiment of that but many many of us have had that thing where people wonder why are you with that Mr. Big and all you can say is “the chemistry” and it feels like a huge reason to keep getting that Dopamine rush. Hopefully we all learn to outgrow that and look for a decent guy who has more than just chemistry going for him (like kindness, stability etc). It’s not boring it’s being able to sustain a healthy relationship.
Don’t even consider marrying a guy until after that initial flush of lust has passed. Just don’t.
Great post, Kismet! I really like Kelly and good to see her doing well…
The last line of “Makes you do stupid stuff” is so true! Chemistry is a connection – good or bad, we need to figure out what’s the best for us, safely and happily.
You -probably- shouldn’t be with someone you have immediately amazing chemistry with….
Yeah. Particularly because it might turn out to be lovebombing.
Chemistry only goes so far!
I like her new work so far, I think 4 or 5 of the songs have been released. She’s one of my favorite singers ever. I hope whatever legal battle she has regarding her ex and the management company gets resolved to her favor.
Raises hand… my last relationship! We brought out the worst in each other but stayed together cause “chemistry”! We just could not quit each other, even hooking up for 2 years after we were broken up.
Butterflystella, you are human and many of us have done it. It isn’t enough to sustain a relationship, but chemistry is quite powerful. I’m married to a wonderful man, but I have “chemistry” with my ex, so I stay away from a friendship with him. It makes me uncomfortable and confused. We’ve known each other for almost 30 years, but my husband helped me see that Mr. Chemistry isn’t capable of being what I need. My husband accepted him as our friend, even though he was my ex. Now, I don’t want him around us anymore because it just reminds me of how sad I was when I see how upset the women around him seem. They are who I used to be.
I think the chemistry partly develops precisely because they’re bad for you. Some people are drawn to the risk and excitement.
Yes and no. Chemistry can exist in both good and bad environments. I think it’s just that chemistry alone is not enough. If you don’t have shared values and vision for your lives, kindness and consideration, empathy and patience, it’s hard to sustain a relationship.
BUT you absolutely can have all those things AND chemistry. It’s rare, but absolutely possible.
Well, yes- it’s called having a broken picker.