Kelly Clarkson Says That She 'Never Wanted to Get Married' in the First Place

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 14: Kelly Clarkson attends Audacy's 10th Annual We Can Survive at Prudential Center on October 14, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Audacy)

Kelly Clarkson isn't opposed to dipping her toes back into the dating waters, but as far as marriage goes? She's all set.

The talk show host is opening up about her love life in a new interview with People, revealing that, seeing as she "never wanted to get married" in the first place, she's not too interested in giving it another go.

"[Brandon] had children, a religious background, and it was important, I think, for him," she explained of her first marriage to ex-husband Brandon Blackstock. "But I’ve never been that person."

Thanks to the divorces she's experienced within her family previously, she added, "I just don’t like to put any weight on it. It can happen; it doesn’t have to happen." At the very least, she wouldn't even consider it until her children are grown and living on their own.

As for dating, while it's not off the table, it is "so awkward." Clarkson said she "forgot how really good at [being single she is]," and that anyone she'd be willing to see would need to be "an individual that brings their own life to the table without needing anything from [her]."

While she sees it as "far more romantic to say, ‘I want you, but I don’t need anything,’" the single life is treating her well.

"I’m really good right now, I’m having a good time," she confirmed. "I love my kids. I have my family and friends, I have my jobs. It’s all these beautiful things that are working really well."

Clarkson, of course, separated from Blackstock in 2020, officially divorcing in 2022 following a contentious custody battle over their children, River Rose, 9, and Remington Alexander, 7.

She turned to music to help her overcome the "depression" of the aftermath, describing it as "taking [her] power back."

She continued, "That sounds very therapy, but that’s because I love therapy, and I think it’s important to have those tools to navigate your life and relationships," she added. "The level of depression and things that come with divorce or grieving is extraordinarily hard."

“I’ve always known that love is hard,” she admitted. “For me, love has always come with this elephant in the room of sadness. I’ve known love is not forever." It's not meant to come off as "depressing," but Clarkson believes "we put a lot of pressure on that word."

She continued, "Sometimes love is looking at someone and going, ‘This is not good for you. This is not good for me.’ That’s a hard thing to face. But when you do, I think you grow.”

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