Kelly Clarkson’s Romance History

Kelly Clarkson’s love life hasn’t always been sunshine and meet-cutes. But through every twist (and breakup anthem), she’s kept it real. From whirlwind flings to a full-on marriage and motherhood, Kelly’s romance history is full of heart, lessons, and serious growth. And even when things got tough, she turned pain into power; and a few bangers while she was at it.

Early Crushes and Quiet Flings

Before she was a household name (and way before daytime TV icon status) Kelly had a couple of low-key relationships. One such moment? Her “From Justin to Kelly” and “American Idol” co-star Justin Guarini. Yep, that actually happened. Kelly later confirmed they had a short-lived romance during filming saying, “We did date a little bit. I think any two people who are thrown together that much would (date),” according to USA Today. Nothing dramatic… just one of those “young and figuring it out” things that didn’t last but still counts in the history books.

Getty (Matthew Peyton)

According to Us Weekly, in 2005, she also dated musician Graham Colton after he toured with her, but it fizzled after about six months. It seemed their busy schedules just didn’t mix. Then she was briefly with Yellowcard’s Ryan Key in 2006, but there is very little known about their romance.

The Brandon Blackstock Era

Kelly met Brandon Blackstock in 2006, according to People, but things didn’t take off until they reconnected in 2012. Sparks flew, and by the end of that year, they were engaged. The wedding came in 2013, followed by two kids (River Rose and Remington Alexander) and what looked like a forever kind of thing.

Getty (Rachel Murray for FIJI Water)

But behind the scenes, things weren’t easy. Kelly filed for divorce in 2020, citing “irreconcilable differences,” and the split turned into a long, emotional process. The fallout inspired her rawest album yet, “Chemistry,” a project that seemed to help her get through things.

Then, on August 7, 2025, came heartbreaking news: Brandon passed away after a private battle with cancer. Hours before the news broke, Kelly shared a rare and deeply personal post on Instagram explaining why she was postponing the rest of her Las Vegas Studio Sessions:

Fans immediately rallied behind her with love and support. Because let’s face it; when Kelly says she needs to focus on her kids, we listen.

Kelly’s Still Got This

Kelly’s romance history? It’s been raw, real, and unforgettable. She’s lived the highs, survived the heartbreaks, and turned personal pain into powerful music more than once. Today’s loss is a heavy one; no way around that. But if there’s one thing Kelly Clarkson has proven time and time again, it’s that she doesn’t just bounce back. She evolves.

Whether she’s flying solo or not, she’s doing it with grit, grace, and a killer voice backing her up. Romance or no romance, Kelly’s still got all the love she needs… and we’re still in her corner, every step of the way.