Kelly Clarkson Seemingly Shades Ex-Husband Brandon Blackstock in Christmas Video After Tense Divorce Battle

Mar. 15, 2025

Kelly Clarkson visualizer for When Christmas Comes Around… Again album.Photo:Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty; Kelly Clarkson/YouTube

Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty; Kelly Clarkson/YouTube

Kelly Clarksonisn’t visiting any ghosts of Christmas past this holiday season.On Thursday, Dec. 19, the Grammy winner, 42, appeared to throw shade at herex-husband Brandon Blackstockin a new video shared to accompany the new deluxe version of her holiday album,When Christmas Comes Around…The clip, a 53-minute visualizerposted on YouTube, shows four red stockings hanging over a blazing fireplace alongside a Christmas tree. One stocking read “Mom,” while two featuredthe names of her kids, daughter River, 10, and son Remy, 8.The stocking on the far right had the word “Nope” stitched on it, seemingly as a subtle diss to her ex-husband Blackstock, 48.Kelly Clarkson album visualizer.Kelly Clarkson/YouTubeThe new version of Clarkson’s 2021 album, retitledWhen Christmas Comes Around… Again, was released in November with the new songs “You for Christmas” and “Sleigh Bells.“TheAmerican Idolalum wasmarried to Blackstockfor almost seven years before she filed for divorce on June 4, 2020, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized two years later.The singer has been using music to express her emotions post-split. Reflecting on writing her latest original studio albumChemistry,Clarkson told PEOPLE in January 2024that she’s not the type of person to hold a grudge — but music has been a way to express herself.“I cannot express how appreciative I feel for having that kind of healthy outlet,” Clarkson said. “Because the level of depression and things that come with divorce or grieving is extraordinarily hard. You feel alone, and it’s just a blessing to be able to have that outlet for those emotions that are overwhelming.“Kelly Clarkson, pictured performing in 2024.Ralph Bavaro/NBC via GettyLast month, the “Miss Independent” artist toldKOST 103.5she’s “enjoying being single” at the moment, but her kids aren’t looking forward to her getting back into dating.“They constantly bring it up, ‘Please, we don’t want you with anybody else,'” Clarkson shared. “They’re young, it’s hard to picture their mom with someone else other than their dad.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Ultimately, Clarkson said, she won’t be adhering to her kids’ wishes: “I have expressed like, ‘Hey, I love you guys, but Mommy needs lovings too.'”

Kelly Clarksonisn’t visiting any ghosts of Christmas past this holiday season.

On Thursday, Dec. 19, the Grammy winner, 42, appeared to throw shade at herex-husband Brandon Blackstockin a new video shared to accompany the new deluxe version of her holiday album,When Christmas Comes Around…

The clip, a 53-minute visualizerposted on YouTube, shows four red stockings hanging over a blazing fireplace alongside a Christmas tree. One stocking read “Mom,” while two featuredthe names of her kids, daughter River, 10, and son Remy, 8.

The stocking on the far right had the word “Nope” stitched on it, seemingly as a subtle diss to her ex-husband Blackstock, 48.

Kelly Clarkson album visualizer.Kelly Clarkson/YouTube

Kelly Clarkson/YouTube

The new version of Clarkson’s 2021 album, retitledWhen Christmas Comes Around… Again, was released in November with the new songs “You for Christmas” and “Sleigh Bells.”

TheAmerican Idolalum wasmarried to Blackstockfor almost seven years before she filed for divorce on June 4, 2020, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized two years later.

The singer has been using music to express her emotions post-split. Reflecting on writing her latest original studio albumChemistry,Clarkson told PEOPLE in January 2024that she’s not the type of person to hold a grudge — but music has been a way to express herself.

“I cannot express how appreciative I feel for having that kind of healthy outlet,” Clarkson said. “Because the level of depression and things that come with divorce or grieving is extraordinarily hard. You feel alone, and it’s just a blessing to be able to have that outlet for those emotions that are overwhelming.”

Kelly Clarkson, pictured performing in 2024.Ralph Bavaro/NBC via Getty

Ralph Bavaro/NBC via Getty

Last month, the “Miss Independent” artist toldKOST 103.5she’s “enjoying being single” at the moment, but her kids aren’t looking forward to her getting back into dating.

“They constantly bring it up, ‘Please, we don’t want you with anybody else,'” Clarkson shared. “They’re young, it’s hard to picture their mom with someone else other than their dad.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Ultimately, Clarkson said, she won’t be adhering to her kids’ wishes: “I have expressed like, ‘Hey, I love you guys, but Mommy needs lovings too.'”

source: people.com