Kelly Clarkson leaves Los Angeles for ‘fresh start’ after ‘struggling’ with divorce

Kelly Clarkson filed for divorce from Brandon Blackstock in 2020

Kelly Clarkson receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Kelly Clarkson discusses how it feels to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 20 years after winning the first season of "American Idol."

"Breakaway" singer Kelly Clarkson is leaving the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles for the Big Apple.

"I’ll be real honest: I thought I was making a horrible decision," Clarkson, 41, admitted to USA Today. "I knew I needed a fresh start and couldn’t be in LA."

"The Kelly Clarkson Show" host confessed what state she was considering moving to before she packed her bags for New York.

KELLY CLARKSON'S KIDS TELL HER THEY WISH ‘MOMMY AND DADDY WERE TOGETHER IN THE SAME HOUSE:’ AFTER DIVORCE: ‘IT KILLS ME’

kelly clarkson leaves los angeles for fresh start after struggling with divorce

Former "The Voice" judge Kelly Clarkson spoke out about her decision to flee Los Angeles for New York. (Getty Images)

"I really wanted to be in Montana, but you can’t really do a show from there quite yet. So I was like, ‘The only other option would probably be New York.'"

The Grammy-winning singer relocated her daytime show for its fifth season to the East Coast, as her studio is located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

"At this point, I’m 40 years old. Mama rented something nice!" Clarkson remarked. "I was like, ‘I’m not living here unless it’s right by the park and really nice for the kids.’"

The mom-of-two’s move comes after her divorce from Brandon Blackstock.

HOLLYWOOD'S SURPRISING TAKE ON DIVORCE

kelly clarkson leaves los angeles for fresh start after struggling with divorce

The Grammy-winning singer relocated her daytime show for its fifth season to the East Coast, as her studio is located in 30 Rockefeller Plaza. (NDZ/Star Max/GC Images/Getty Images)

Clarkson and Blackstock married in 2013, and she filed for divorce in 2020 after seven years of marriage. They share two children – River Rose and Remy.

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The "Because of You" crooner noted the split was part of the reason she decided to flee Los Angeles. 

She additionally revealed she’s the happiest she’s been in a long time with her divorce behind her. 

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kelly clarkson leaves los angeles for fresh start after struggling with divorce

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock married in 2013, and she filed for divorce in 2020 after seven years of marriage. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

"… full disclosure, I put on a smile a lot of those times because I was struggling a lot in my personal life," Clarkson shared with USA Today. "I've learned a lot about what I'm capable of handling, and also what you should not handle. That was me saying 'bye' to 'The Voice' and having this big move. I love that family, but I was like, 'I'm struggling. I can't smile anymore. I don't feel like smiling.’"

Clarkson has been on the music competition show for nine seasons. She appeared in Seasons 14 through 21 before taking a brief break and returning for Season 23.

Stephanie Giang-Paunon is an Entertainment Writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and on Twitter: @SGiangPaunon.

Authored by Stephanie Giang-Paunon via FoxNews October 17th 2023