Kelly Clarkson hasn't held back when it comes to openly discussing the emotional turmoil she experienced throughout her divorce from ex-husband Brandon Blackstock. Leading up to the release of her new album Chemistry, Clarkson shared her healing process with fans and addressed how her breakup inspired certain songs from the album. It seems that her live shows are no different. During her Las Vegas residency at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino's Bakkt Theater, the "Because of You" singer seemed to reference her ex with a pointed lyric change.
While performing a cover of Gayle's "abcdefu," Clarkson sang "F**k you and your dad and the fact that you got half, and my broken heart, turn that s**t into art. F**k you, and your view from the valley I bought you, everybody but your dogs, you can all f**k off!"
The fiery lyrics were paired with a not-so-subtle hand gesture.
Clarkson's performance can be seen in a video from a TikTok user who captured the moment. Audience members can be heard cheeringly loudly for the performance.
@kellyclarksonclips Love sassy, curse-filled @kellyclarkson ? / vid credit: arroyoknight09 on YouTube #kellyclarkson #abdefu #gayle #ex #breakup #divorce #livemusic #lyric #lyricchange #cover #coversong #tour #tiktokmusic #music #chemistryvegas #fyp #viral
A video captured by another audience member shows Clarkson's intro to the song in which she addresses the lyric change.
"I ended up changing the lyrics slightly. I was angry," Clarkson said, explaining that fans had requested that she perform "abcdefu" again after she covered it on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
@dadsbydesign Just listen to the crowd. #fyp #chemistryvegas #kellyclarkson #lasvegas #abcdefu #kellyoke #cover
The lyrics seem to reference Clarkson's contentious divorce from Blackstock, after which Clarkson paid her ex a reported $1.3 million plus additional money in child support. The nod to "your dad" seems to be referencing her former father-in-law Narvel Blackstock, who sued Clarkson for unpaid commissions in 2020. Clarkson countersued two months later. (Narvel Blackstock is the ex-husband and former manager of country legend Reba McEntire.)
Clarkson filed for divorce from Blackstock in 2020. They share two children: River Rose and Remington Alexander.
