Kelly Clarkson proved she's the queen of subtle shade while promoting her holiday album "When Christmas Comes Around… Again." The "American Idol" alum, 42, posted an "official album visualizer" to YouTube on Wednesday, showcasing a fireplace adorned with four stockings. Two of the stockings were labeled with her children's names — daughter River, 10, and son Remington, 8 — the third had the word "Mom."
However, the fourth stocking raised eyebrows as it boldly read, "Nope." Fans were quick to catch the subtle jab and praise Clarkson for the clever decoration. One social media user called the move "healing," while another declared they were "dying" over the cheeky stocking. "That's crazy funny," another fan wrote, applauding Clarkson's sense of humor.
This playful shade comes years after Clarkson's contentious divorce from Brandon Blackstock, 47, which played out in the public eye. The duo, who began dating in 2012, tied the knot in 2013 and welcomed their two children in 2014 and 2016. However, after nearly seven years of marriage, Clarkson filed for divorce in June 2020, citing irreconcilable differences.
The divorce, finalized in March 2022, was far from amicable. Clarkson was granted primary custody of River and Remington, though Blackstock has visitation rights one weekend per month. As part of the settlement, the singer agreed to pay $45,600 in monthly child support and $115,000 per month in spousal support, which finished in 2024.
© NBCAdditionally, Clarkson made a one-time payment of $1.3 million to Blackstock.
The legal battle also centered around their $10.4 million Montana ranch, where Blackstock had been living. While Clarkson retained ownership of the property, her ex-husband was allowed to rent it until June 2022, paying $12,500 monthly.
Despite the challenges, Clarkson appears to be embracing her independence. The singer, who revealed in 2022 that she had legally changed her name to Kelly Brianne, continues to thrive in her music career and as a television host.
© NBC
Kelly Clarkson sings at the 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
The holiday season officially kicked off after 50,000 multi-colored lights illuminated the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City., during the annual NBC event, "Christmas in Rockefeller Center," which was filled with star power, including performances by Kelly Clarkson and Thalía.
© Craig T FruchtmanPulling double duty as host and performer, Clarkson seamlessly guided the two-hour broadcast. Alongside her were beloved "Today" anchors Craig Melvin, Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker, who joined the festivities to keep spirits high. Clarkson delighted fans by revisiting her 2013 Christmas album with a rendition of "Underneath the Tree." Her powerhouse vocals and the electrifying ambiance filled the crowd with holiday excitement. "Kelly Clarkson! Now Christmas can start," Craig Melvin quipped as he joined the stage alongside New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
