Kelly Clarkson needed new start in NY after divorce struggle

Miss independent, indeed. Kelly Clarkson wanted a “fresh start” following her divorce from Brandon Blackstock — and New York City seemed to be the perfect place.

The “Breakaway” singer, 41, opened up about her recent move to relocate “The Kelly Clarkson Show” during an interview with USA Today.

“I’ll be real honest: I thought I was making a horrible decision,” Clarkson said. “I knew I needed a fresh start and couldn’t be in L.A. 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.’”

The TV personality filed for divorce from Blackstock in June 2020 after nearly seven years of marriage. Their two children River Rose, 9, and Remington, 7, moved with Clarkson as she was awarded primary custody in March 2022.

“I genuinely love it, and I love that my kids love it,” she continued. “I was like, ‘I’m not living here unless it’s right by the park and really nice for the kids.’”

The trio are currently living in a new rental that is “something nice.”

Clarkson and Blackstock went through a messy split after citing “irreconcilable differences” for the reason behind the divorce.

In March 2022, a judge approved their divorce settlement, granting Blackstock $115,000 each month in spousal support until January 2024. He will also receive a monthly amount of $45,600 in child support. In June of that year, Blackstock moved out of their shared ranch.

“Full disclosure, I put on a smile a lot of those times because I was struggling a lot in my personal life,” Clarkson told USA Today of her talk show. “I’ve learned a lot about what I’m capable of handling, and also what you should not handle. That was me saying ‘bye’ to ‘The Voice’ and having this big move. I love that family, but I was like, ‘I’m struggling. I can’t smile anymore. I don’t feel like smiling.’”

“The Kelly Clarkson Show” returned for Season 5 on Oct. 16 — and Clarkson is in a much better place this time around.

“Not only with my kids, but with me personally and with the show. I feel like a weight has lifted. That move was very needed,” the “American Idol” Season 1 winner told the outlet. “[I’m] showing up to work smiling and actually meaning it.”

She concluded: “That’s a beautiful gift that you don’t realize until you’re out of it.”