Kelly Clarkson gives a little explanation as to why she recently applied to legally change her name.
It was revealed last month that she had applied to legally change her name to Kelly Brianne, her first and middle names.
But in a new interview, she clarified that the name change is only for her personal life, and quipped that it’s “too late” to change her public name now.
In conversation with folks (the tv show!) She joked, “I don’t think I can change Clarkson at this point. I am 20 years old!’
Faced with it: Kelly Clarkson admitted in a new interview that it was “too late” to change her public name to Kelly Brianne
The news that she was looking to change her name came after her tumultuous divorce from Brandon Blackstock.
“I just got divorced, so I had to drop my married last name,” she told People (the TV show!). “I only kept my middle name for my personal life. I’m still Kelly Clarkson.”
Kelly made the clarification this Monday at the red carpet premiere of the American Song Contest, the reality competition show she co-hosts with Snoop Dogg for NBC.
She became a star herself after winning the first season of American Idol in 2002 when the show aired on Fox.
“I’m 20 years old!”: While speaking to People (the TV show!), she quipped, “I don’t think I can change Clarkson at this point.”
She said in late February that she had a “desire” to join Kelly Brianne, according to multiple reports, as her “new name better reflects who she is.”
It comes after the singer filed for divorce from ex-husband Brandon Blackstock in June 2020, citing “irreconcilable differences”.
However, she never legally took her ex-spouse’s surname. “Clarkson” is her own family name.
Born Kelly Brianne Clarkson, the singer is said to have had a tumultuous relationship with her late father, Stephen Michael Clarkson.
Then: It was revealed last month that she had applied to legally change her well-known nickname to Kelly Brianne, her first and middle name
Her father Stephen and mother Jeanne Ann (née Rose) divorced when Clarkson was six years old. The singer has said publicly that she has never had any contact with her father.
Meanwhile, another hearing on the matter of her name change is scheduled for March 28, according to court documents reviewed by US Weekly.
It’s not yet clear how the legal name change will affect the star’s branding projects, including her eponymous hit talk series The Kelly Clarkson Show and numerous albums recorded under the Kelly Clarkson moniker.
It comes after the Fort Worth, Texas-born star spent more than a year and a half working through a divorce from ex Brandon, 45, with whom she has daughter River Rose, 7, and son Remington Alexander, 5. Splits.
Before the split, she was also stepmother to his two children with ex-wife Melissa Ashworth, Savannah, 19, and Seth, 14.
Tough times: The singer said on her show this week that she feels “heartbroken” about having to quarantine at home with her children
The Kelly Clarkson Show host initially filed for divorce from Blackstock in June 2020, saying there were “irreconcilable differences” in the marriage, which began when the couple wed in October 2013.
In court last month, the A Moment Like This singer ceded 5.12 percent of the $17.8 million Montana ranch they live on to Blackstock, which the outlet says is worth about $908,800 .
The “My Life Would Suck Without You” artist has been court ordered to pay Blackstock $150,000 a month in spousal support, with an additional $45,601 earmarked for their children.
Brandon Blackstock was photographed at an event in LA in January 2020
The Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) actress, who shares physical and legal custody of her two children with Blackstock, told Extra last fall that she and Blackstock had “a lot of help from therapists or child psychologists” with their children, because they want to do it right,” adding, “Everyone’s sad and it’s okay to be sad.”
The Miss Independent singer opened up about co-parenting with Blackstock on her program last year
“I know with me and Brandon it’s just a difficult thing because we’re in different places,” she said. “And it’s like, we both agree on the most important things, but it’s a difficult thing when you’re not together all the time, for me personally.
“As long as you make sure it’s about the kids and their well-being, we’re both on board.”
In the past, Clarkson made it known that she didn’t have a good relationship with her late father, Stephen Clarkson.
“I never really had any contact with him. And I know a lot of people say “aww” but it’s not really that situation. Because you didn’t grow up with it, it’s hard to miss something you never had.”
Another reason for the name change? In the past, Clarkson has made no secret that she didn’t have a good relationship with her late father, Stephen Clarkson (pictured above).