Frazer Harrison/Getty Images; Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images
Reba McEntire is thrilled about being the latest artist chosen for Kelly Clarkson’s Kellyoke cover series, especially given their personal history.

McEntire, 69, took to social media on Wednesday, May 1, to share a clip of Clarkson, 42, performing one of her tracks, writing via X, “Thanks KC for covering my song #TillYouLoveMe on your show today! Did y’all catch her beautiful rendition? 😍 Stream the original version here.”

This isn’t the first time McEntire and Clarkson have bonded over music. After reuniting on season 23 of The Voice, Clarkson and McEntire were both moved by Kala Banham‘s performance of “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls.

“Kala surprised me the most,” Clarkson said about her team member during an April 2023 episode. “She can make you cry after the first three notes — that’s rare!”

In response, McEntire praised the way Banham affected Clarkson, adding, “The emotions that she showed, I got chills, Kelly cried. That’s what you want from a performer.”

Before appearing on the NBC competition series, McEntire and Clarkson became friends when they performed together during the season 1 finale of American Idol in 2002. Years later, Clarkson started dating Brandon Blackstock — the son of McEntire’s now ex-husband Narvel Blackstock.

Clarkson and Brandon, aged 47, exchanged vows in 2013 and later welcomed their children, River Rose, 9, and Remington Alexander, 7. However, Clarkson initiated divorce proceedings in 2020 after nearly seven years of marriage.

McEntire, while acknowledging her affection for both parties, opted not to take sides in the split. In an interview with Extra in October 2021, she expressed her love for Brandon as her stepson and considered Kelly a close friend. McEntire emphasized her hopes for their happiness and well-being, encouraging support from others during this challenging time.

Following the separation, Clarkson and Brandon engaged in a protracted legal dispute over their assets. Clarkson, declared legally single in September 2021, was mandated to pay Brandon approximately $200,000 monthly, inclusive of temporary spousal support payments amounting to $150,000 monthly. Additionally, she was obligated to provide $45,601 each month in child support, while being awarded primary custody.

Clarkson has openly stated her reluctance to remarry. Reflecting on her initial marriage, she admitted that while it held significance for Brandon due to his family and religious background, marriage was never a personal priority for her. Despite this stance, Clarkson has found the prospect of meeting someone new challenging.

“Dating sucks. It’s so awkward. I was single until I was, like, 30, and I forgot how really good at that I am,” she added. “I told a friend [that my future partner] would have to be an individual that brings their own life to the table without needing anything from me. It’s far more romantic to say, ‘I want you, but I don’t need anything.’”

Kelly Clarkson’s Candid Quotes on Dating After Messy Divorce With Brandon Blackstock

 

Kelly ClarksonCindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM

Kelly Clarkson has faced challenges in the aftermath of her divorce from Brandon Blackstock in 2020 and isn’t actively seeking a new relationship.

In a candid Instagram video shared in September 2023, Clarkson expressed contentment with her single status, emphasizing her enjoyment of the busy life she leads as a mother of two, with additional responsibilities including caring for pets and managing multiple jobs. Reflecting on the end of her marriage, she acknowledged the difficulty of moving forward after envisioning a lifelong partnership.

Following their separation, Clarkson and Blackstock engaged in a protracted legal dispute over matters such as spousal support, custody arrangements for their children, and ownership of Clarkson’s Montana property. Ultimately, they reached a settlement, finalizing their divorce in March 2022.

 

Keep scrolling to hear everything Clarkson has said about dating after her divorce:

Credit: GettyImages-1500398818 NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 21: Kelly Clarkson visits SiriusXM at SiriusXM Studios on June 21, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Trouble ‘Picking Weeds’ Out of Dating Prospects

“I’ll be single forever,” Clarkson joked during a December 2021 appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, adding that she has trouble choosing the right people to date. “I’m not good at that. I’m always that person that’s like, ‘Oh, I don’t know. Maybe they were having an off day.’”

Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Dating Is Too Tiring

“I will [eventually],” Clarkson explained during an interview on The Howard Stern Show in June 2023. “I just don’t want to right now. It just seems, like, exhausting.”

She continued on to share that when she’s ready to look for love, she “definitely won’t” be using dating apps.

“I’m not against them or above them. I just … that scares me,” she said at the time. “I would ask someone out. I think I’m over the trauma [of my divorce], I just really enjoy me right now.”

Credit: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Audacy

Enjoying Alone Time

“I am still in the stage of really enjoying me, so I’m not there,” Clarkson told Shannen Doherty on an episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show in December 2023. (Doherty, for her part, separated from Kurt Iswarienko in April 2023.)

Kelly Clarkson reflected on the changes in her life since becoming single, sharing some humorous observations about her newfound companionship with her dogs.

She humorously mentioned how her dogs, previously banned from her bed for certain “fun” activities, now rule the sleeping space since her separation and divorce. Clarkson mused that her furry companions might not take kindly to sharing the bed with a new romantic interest.

Content with the love she receives from her dogs, Clarkson expressed a lack of urgency to pursue dating. She emphasized the importance of self-discovery and personal growth in relationships, acknowledging her own need for further development in this regard. Clarkson highlighted the empowerment she finds in prioritizing self-care and enjoying her own company, describing it as a powerful and fulfilling experience.

Credit: Jason Mendez/Getty Images

What She’s Looking For In a Partner

“[I would like them to bring] their own life to the table without needing anything from me,” Clarkson shared on the Today show in January 2024. “It’s far more romantic to say, ‘I want you, but I don’t need anything.’”

She also noted that she would like her kids to be older before dating again.

“For my kids, I definitely would never even think about it until they’re out of my house,” Clarkson shared