why did kelly clarkson get divorced

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock got divorced due to "irreconcilable differences," which was the official reason cited in the divorce filing in June 2020. However, deeper issues surfaced during their divorce and afterward. Their marriage reportedly faced struggles involving blurred personal and professional lines since Brandon was also Kelly's manager. Kelly expressed feeling "very limited" and unhappy in the marriage, saying it was not the beautiful partnership she had hoped for because they were not on the same path or working together effectively. Additional sources of tension included legal and financial disputes, with Kelly accusing Brandon of overcharging her and unlawfully making business deals related to her career. A particularly painful revelation for Kelly was Brandon allegedly telling her she was not "sexy" enough to be a judge on The Voice. Their divorce involved intense custody battles over their two children. Moreover, a significant emotional blow came from Brandon entering a relationship with Kelly's former personal assistant, which was seen as a betrayal of trust by Kelly since the woman was once part of her inner circle. Their divorce was finalized in 2022, but difficulties continued with ongoing legal disputes. Brandon later battled cancer and passed away in August 2025, with Kelly showing support for their children during his illness. In summary, the divorce was caused by a combination of irreconcilable differences, professional conflicts, trust issues, and personal betrayals that made their marriage unsustainable.