In Feb. 2022, singer, talk show host, The Voice coach and inaugural American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson made a bold, new change in her life. The artist filed court documents to legally change her name to Kelly Brianne. Legal documents acquired by US Weekly stated her "desire" for the name change because her first and middle name, Brianne, "will fully reflect" who she is.
The documents were filed on Feb. 14, 2022 at a Los Angeles court and approved the following month. The new name doesn't impact her well-known "Clarkson brand," including The Kelly Clarkson Show. She still goes by the Clarkson moniker professionally.
"I just got divorced, so I had to drop my married last name," she told People (the TV Show) in March 2022 at the premiere for the NBC singing competition American Song Contest (as quoted by Today). "I just kept my middle name for my personal life. I'm still Kelly Clarkson."
Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson during the arrivals for the 25th Annual Critics' Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on January 12, 2020 in Santa Monica, CA. (Photo by David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
The legal name change came amid a contentious and well-publicized divorce from ex-husband Brandon Blackstock. Clarkson cited irreconcilable differences back in June 2020 after almost seven years of marriage. The two share daughter River Rose and son Remington Alexander.
Clarkson has primary custody of the former couple's two children, with Blackstock getting them one weekend per month. She also got to keep the couple's Montana Ranch. Today reported that Clarkson owed Blackstock a one-time payment of $1,326,161 plus monthly spousal support payments of $115,000 through Jan. 31, 2024 and $45,601 in child support.
Despite the couple's differences, ET reported that "Kelly is thankful for her relationship with Brandon, she learned a lot about herself and had two perfect kids. Kelly is looking forward to moving on and successfully co-parenting with Brandon."
