Kelly Clarkson Has No Regrets Moving to N.Y.C. for 'Fresh Start': 'It Was the Best Decision for Her' (Exclusive Source)

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal

Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal

Kelly Clarksonput her happiness first when shemoved to New York Citylast year.After years in Los Angeles, the Grammy winner packed up her life with her two young children and headed to the Big Apple, taking her hit talk show with her. Now, a source tells PEOPLE that it all worked out for the best.“The move to N.Y.C. was a fresh start for her that she has never regretted,” the insider says. “She had not been happy in Los Angeles for a while but was still nervous about moving. It was the best decision for her though. They thrive as a family.“Clarkson, 42, herdaughter River, 10, and son Remington “Remy,” 8, moved to New York in 2023, just ahead of the start of the fifth season of her NBC talk showThe Kelly Clarkson Show, which was renewed for season 7 on Monday, Dec. 16.Kelly Clarkson with her daughter River and son Remy in Los Angeles in September 2022.Michael Buckner/Variety via GettyThe source says Clarkson — who released the holiday albumWhen Christmas Comes Around…in 2021 — is currently in “full holiday spirit,” and feels “beyond grateful for her fans.”“She feels very fortunate to continue her career in a way that makes it possible for her to balance work with being a mom,” the source says. “She’s very appreciative of everything.”The “Underneath the Tree” singer previously opened up to PEOPLE in November 2023about her decision to moveto New York City, just over one year after finalizing her divorce fromex-husband Brandon Blackstockin June 2022.The star said she “really needed the change” of uprooting her life, as she’d spent the last three years in Los Angeles feeling “very depressed.”Kelly Clarkson.Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via GettyClarkson said she enjoyed “walking to and from work” at 30 Rockefeller Center and appreciated New York’s “beautiful energy” — including the fact that fans often respect her personal space, even while riding the subway.“All celebrities should know this. When you live here, people do recognize you, but they just say, ‘Oh, hey, what’s up?’ And then they keep walking. It’s incredible,” she said. “I have literally never been bothered on the subway. Maybe just like, ‘Oh, hey, I like your music,’ but then they walk off. That’s what I love about New Yorkers. Everybody’s got their own life. They’re like, ‘Yours is not more important than mine, so have a nice day.'“The star opened up about the move again to PEOPLE in a January cover story, saying thatleaving Los Angeles had done wondersfor her mental health.“I’d just been showing up and smiling and doing what I’m supposed to do,” she said. “But you can only compartmentalize so long until you break.”

Kelly Clarksonput her happiness first when shemoved to New York Citylast year.

After years in Los Angeles, the Grammy winner packed up her life with her two young children and headed to the Big Apple, taking her hit talk show with her. Now, a source tells PEOPLE that it all worked out for the best.

“The move to N.Y.C. was a fresh start for her that she has never regretted,” the insider says. “She had not been happy in Los Angeles for a while but was still nervous about moving. It was the best decision for her though. They thrive as a family.”

Clarkson, 42, herdaughter River, 10, and son Remington “Remy,” 8, moved to New York in 2023, just ahead of the start of the fifth season of her NBC talk showThe Kelly Clarkson Show, which was renewed for season 7 on Monday, Dec. 16.

Kelly Clarkson with her daughter River and son Remy in Los Angeles in September 2022.Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

The source says Clarkson — who released the holiday albumWhen Christmas Comes Around…in 2021 — is currently in “full holiday spirit,” and feels “beyond grateful for her fans.”

“She feels very fortunate to continue her career in a way that makes it possible for her to balance work with being a mom,” the source says. “She’s very appreciative of everything.”

The “Underneath the Tree” singer previously opened up to PEOPLE in November 2023about her decision to moveto New York City, just over one year after finalizing her divorce fromex-husband Brandon Blackstockin June 2022.

The star said she “really needed the change” of uprooting her life, as she’d spent the last three years in Los Angeles feeling “very depressed.”

Kelly Clarkson.Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty

Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty

Clarkson said she enjoyed “walking to and from work” at 30 Rockefeller Center and appreciated New York’s “beautiful energy” — including the fact that fans often respect her personal space, even while riding the subway.

“All celebrities should know this. When you live here, people do recognize you, but they just say, ‘Oh, hey, what’s up?’ And then they keep walking. It’s incredible,” she said. “I have literally never been bothered on the subway. Maybe just like, ‘Oh, hey, I like your music,’ but then they walk off. That’s what I love about New Yorkers. Everybody’s got their own life. They’re like, ‘Yours is not more important than mine, so have a nice day.'”

The star opened up about the move again to PEOPLE in a January cover story, saying thatleaving Los Angeles had done wondersfor her mental health.

“I’d just been showing up and smiling and doing what I’m supposed to do,” she said. “But you can only compartmentalize so long until you break.”

source: people.com