Kelly Clarkson’s life has been a rollercoaster of emotions, from her rise to fame as the first American Idol to her highly publicized divorce from Brandon Blackstock. The singer’s Montana ranch, valued at $10.4 million, was a major point of contention in their divorce battle.
Clarkson and Blackstock’s marriage seemed like a fairytale, with the two tying the knot in 2013. However, their relationship took a turn for the worse, and Clarkson filed for divorce in 2020, citing irreconcilable differences.
The divorce proceedings were messy, with disputes over finances, custody of their two children, and ownership of the Montana ranch. Blackstock, who had shifted his career focus to ranching, argued that the ranch was his dream property and that relocating would disrupt his lifestyle.
However, the court ultimately ruled in Clarkson’s favor, citing her prenuptial agreement. The ruling stated that the ranch was not considered marital property, as it was not titled in both their names.
Despite the court’s decision, Blackstock refused to leave the property, claiming he needed time to relocate his ranching business. He was eventually ordered to pay $12,500 in monthly rent and finally vacated the property in June 2022.
Clarkson was awarded primary physical custody of their two children and has since moved to New York. In 2023, Blackstock was ordered to pay Clarkson $2.6 million for overstepping in his managerial role and unlawfully procuring deals.
The singer has spoken publicly about the difficulties of her divorce, stating that it wasn’t an overnight decision and that she had wanted to make the marriage work. Clarkson has since moved on and is focusing on her career and raising her children.
Blackstock, on the other hand, has continued to pursue his passion for ranching. He founded Valley View Rodeo in 2023, a multi-faceted organization dedicated to preserving the western lifestyle. Interestingly, his executive assistant is Brittany Jones, who previously worked as Clarkson’s assistant during her marriage to Blackstock.
The divorce battle between Clarkson and Blackstock was long and arduous, but it ultimately led to a new chapter in both their lives.
