Kelly Clarkson Files to Legally Drop Famous Last Name

Kelly Clarkson’s latest move in her divorce proceedings from Brandon Blackstock has to do with changing her name. According to Us Weekly, the singer — born Kelly Brianne Clarkson — filed paperwork in a Texas court, asking that a judge sign off on allowing her to legally change her name to “Kelly Brianne.” It is unclear if this means she would be dropping “Clarkson” from all of her current branding, such as her hit daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show. 

Us Weekly reports that, in the legal petition, Clarkson stated that she has “a desire” to be referred to by her first and middle names because her “new name more fully reflects who I am.” The outlet also reported that a hearing regarding the request is currently set for March 28. Clarkson and Blackstock reportedly first met in 2006, while he was married to Melissa Ashworth. Blackstock shares two children with Ashworth: 18-year-old daughter Savannah and 13-year-old son Seth. 

The pair divorced in 2012, the same year he began dating and became engaged to Clarkson. They married in 2013 and share two children: a daughter named River and a son named Remington. Clarkson filed for divorce from Blackstock in June 2020, with the divorce being finalized in August 2021.

The former couple’s divorce has played out publicly, with many details emerging over the past few months. One big revelation came when a judge ruled that Clarkson would be awarded the Montana property she and Blackstock owned, which he wanted to keep. According to Us Weekly, the “Since U Been Gone” singer referred to the property as a “financial burden” in previously filed legal documents.

In addition to being awarded to the ranch, the judge also upheld the couple’s prenuptial agreement. This led to Clarkson being granted several other assets. Blackstock had reportedly contested the prenup but was shut down by the judge’s ruling. Initially, Blackstock seemed to be on a path to getting the Montana property as a judge ruled he’d have to be financially responsible for it. Most recently, it was revealed that Blackstock will receive a small percentage of the ranch’s value, equating to over $900,000.