Singer Kelly Clarkson is bidding adieu to the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles, opting for the hustle and bustle of New York City.
Clarkson, 41, confessed behind the scenes to the USA today that she was second-guessing her decision early in the process. “I’ll be real honest: I thought I was making a horrible decision. I knew I needed a fresh start and couldn’t be in LA,” Clarkson told USA Today.
The “Kelly Clarkson Show” host shared thoughts that she had before the plunge. She said, “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.'”
After four seasons of the show, the Grammy-winning singer moved to the East Coast for its fifth season, where she set up the studio at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
“And now, at 40 years old, Mama rents something nice!” Clarkson shared. “I was like, ‘I’m not living here unless it’s right by the park and really nice for the kids.’”
This was after finalizing her divorce from Brandon Blackstock, whom she married in 2013. The two separated in 2020, seven years into their marriage journey, and together, they have two kids, River Rose and Remy.
Clarkson admitted she is happy in her new life, and it was her divorce that moved her to make such a drastic move from Los Angeles. She admitted, “Full disclosure: I would put on a smile most of those times because I was struggling a lot in my personal life. I have learned a lot about what I’m capable of handling, and maybe also about what you should not handle. That was me saying ‘goodbye’ to ‘The Voice’ and making this significant move. I love that family, but I was like, ‘I’m struggling. I can’t smile anymore. I don’t feel like smiling.’â€
Clarkson had been featured on ‘The Voice’ music competition show for nine seasons, appearing from seasons 14 through 21. And after taking a small sabbatical, she returned in Season 23.