Kelly Clarkson had to sing heartbreaking song moments after finalizing divorce: 'Screw you, universe!'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Shortly after learning that her divorce had been officially finalized, Kelly Clarkson was unexpectedly confronted with a daunting emotional task - performing a song centered around the theme of love. During a soon-to-be-aired SiriusXM Town Hall segment featuring Andy Cohen, the acclaimed singer recounted her experience of being part of a Dolly Parton tribute when she received the news of her divorce settlement.

Recalling the moment, Clarkson humorously stated, "I'm looking at Dolly Parton... I had just gotten my text of, like, 'Hey, your divorce is final. Like, you've both signed.'" This was right before she had to take the stage to sing 'I Will Always Love You', a particularly unfortunate choice given the circumstances. The singer couldn't help but laugh at the irony, exclaiming, "Screw you, universe. That's the timing?"

Inopportune moment but a welcome distraction

Cohen suggested that Clarkson may have preferred to perform her hit song 'Since U Been Gone' instead. The singer replied, "Well, I just wanted to, you know, not sing something like that." Despite the challenging moment, Clarkson expressed gratitude for the distraction the performance provided, as it allowed her to momentarily shift her focus away from the personal significance of the divorce.

Clarkson filed for divorce from her husband of nearly seven years, Brandon Blackstock, in 2020. The couple shares two children, a 9-year-old daughter named River Rose and a 6-year-old son named Remington Alexander. Clarkson has been open about the difficulties of the divorce, particularly when it comes to seeing the impact on her children. During an interview on Angie Martinez's 'IRL' podcast in March, the 'American Idol' winner revealed her efforts to address her children's emotions.

'I wish mommy and daddy were in the same house!'

The songstress mentioned asking them every night, "Are you happy? And if you're not, what could make you happier?" Clarkson highlighted their honesty, often expressing sadness and wishing for their parents to live together. She emphasized, “A lot of times [they] would be like, ‘You know, I’m just really sad. I wish mommy and daddy were in the same house,’” she said.

“And they’re really honest about it, and I’m raising that kind of individual. I want you to be honest with me. I just sit there, and I’m like, ‘I get it. I’m from a divorced family as well. I get it,’” Clarkson explained. “That sucks, you know? But we’re going to work it out. And you are so loved by both of us.”