Kelly Clarkson Is ‘Slowly Warming Up to the Idea of Dating’ After Brandon Blackstock Divorce
In the music video for her new single, "Where Have You Been," Kelly Clarkson sings about finally meeting the perfect partner - and shows off her recent slimdown in a sultry, shimmery gown with a deep V-neck while doing so. "This was a very sexy moment," the Grammy winner, 43, noted on the May 6 episode of Today. "It's a song about that intimate moment where you finally go, ‘Wow. I just found the unicorn situation.'"
In response, host Jenna Bush Hager asked if Kelly - who hasn't publicly dated anyone since separating from husband Brandon Blackstock in 2020 - was still hopeful she'd get her
own "unicorn moment."
"Yeah, I mean, I hope it does [happen for me]," the recording artist shared, adding, "I will say, I'm not not looking, and I'm [also] not looking. I just, I'm very busy."
Though her statement was heavily hedged, it's the first time Kelly's admitted she's open to finding love again. "Kelly seems to be slowly warming up to the idea of dating," says an insider, noting the drama of her divorce - which included battles over money, property and custody - "took a big toll" before she and Brandon, 48, finalized their split in 2022. "She was truly traumatized by it all. But now Kelly appears to have her confidence back. She's in a good place."
Kelly Clarkson Is Considering Her Kids When It Comes to Dating
Alas, Kelly wasn't kidding when she said she's busy: The Kelly Clarkson Show tapes six episodes a week, she's still recording and releasing new music , and she's preparing for her upcoming Las Vegas residency. That's not even counting what she considers her most important job - being mom to daughter River, 10, and son Remy, 9. "My kids' schedule? I feel like [it's] busier than mine!" Kelly joked with Jenna, 43. "I'm running from my show to baseball practice, and … I am just trying to be there as much for them [as possible]. We're a cute little unit."
Two members of that unit may not be so keen on letting anyone else in, though. This past November, Kelly told KOST 103.5 her kids don't like the idea of her dating. "They constantly bring it up, ‘Please, we don't want you with anybody else,'" she told the radio station. "They're young. It's hard to picture their mom with someone else other than their dad." Kelly said she tried to reason with them, explaining, "I love you guys but Mommy needs loving, too."
Either way, the insider says it's unlikely Kelly would introduce a partner to her littles unless the relationship was extremely serious - which is something Kelly, whose parents split when she was young, has been adamantly against. "I won't be getting married," she insisted on the "Angie Martinez IRL" podcast in 2023, noting that her own experiences with stepparents as a child weren't positive. "[Still,] I would love to fall in love."
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This story was originally published May 21, 2025 at 12:08 PM.