Kelly Clarkson Talks ‘Overwhelming’ Depression Following Brandon Blackstock Divorce

Kelly Clarkson is opening up about the aftermath of her contentious divorce from ex-husband Brandon Blackstock.

The “red flag collector” songstress filed to end her nearly seven-year marriage to Blackstock in 2020, and their divorce was later finalized in 2022. But even when everything was said and done, Clarkson still had some lingering emotions to sort out.

In a new cover story with PEOPLE, the singer and talk show host got candid about her experience dealing with depression after her split from Blackstock, with whom she shares her two children: River Rose, 9, and Remington Alexander, 7.

“The level of depression and things that come with divorce or grieving is extraordinarily hard,” Clarkson, 41, told the outlet in the interview published Wednesday, Jan. 3. “You feel alone.”

But luckily, music has always been an escape for Clarkson, and since winning American Idol and becoming a big star, she has been able to put out music to help her process life’s challenges—which is exactly what she did with her latest album Chemistry last year.

“I didn’t see it other than: This is my outlet,” she said of the album, which contains no shortage of powerful breakup songs like “me” and “mine.”

Clarkson went on to say that her latest musical project was like, “I’m taking my power back,” through her new music. “That sounds very therapy, but that’s because I love therapy, and I think it’s important to have those tools to navigate your life and relationships,” she added.

And it’s not just her mental wellness that Clarkson has been focusing on lately, as the former The Voice judge has also been switching things up when it comes to her diet and fitness regimens, too.

After fans had been noticing a difference in her appearance, Clarkson admitted she “dropped weight” after talking to her doctor and making some changes.

She also denied using Ozempic to shed a few pounds, and instead said she eats a “healthy mix” of nutritious foods.

“90 percent of the time I’m really good at it because a protein diet is good for me anyway,” she said, while quipping, “I’m a Texas girl, so I like meat.”

Well, whatever it is she’s doing, it’s definitely working!