After going to court, Kelly Clarkson has an announcement for all of her fans. Kelly Clarkson is officially no longer Kelly Clarkson. The American Idol winner and current talk show host will now be referred to by her legal name Kelly Brianne. The singer has decided to transition to a new name by using her middle name, Brianne, as her new official last name, dropping Clarkson because it is associated with her famous brand.
Kelly Brianne will continue to host The Kelly Clarkson Show, which will keep its current name. She is also currently co-hosting the American Song Contest with Snoop Dogg. For that contest show, she will continue to be credited as Kelly Clarkson.
In a previous interview with PEOPLE magazine, Kelly Brianne said that she was actually dropping her married name, Blackstock, after her divorce from ex-husband Brandon Blackstock. During that interview, she said the following:
“I had to drop my married last name.” She added, “I just kept my middle name for my personal life.”
Meanwhile, Kelly made it very clear that she would still be referred to as Kelly Clarkson during professional appearances. She said, “I don’t think I can change Clarkson at this point. I’m twenty years in.”
Although Kelly Clarkson will still be referred to by that name when it comes to the work that she does in the public eye, her personal life will use her new name, Kelly Brianne. Clarkson was officially granted the name change by a California judge on March 28, 2022.
Court documents state, “There being no objections, the petition for change of name is granted. The Decree is signed and filed. The Petitioner’s name is changed from KELLY BRIANNE CLARKSON to KELLY BRIANNE.”
Clarkson began the process of changing her name to Kelly Breanne in February 2022, just weeks ahead of her settling her contentious divorce with Brandon Blackstock. She said that she chose her new name because she had a “desire” to go by her first name and middle name only. She felt that the new name combination “more fully reflects who I am.”
Before Clarkson’s name change was official, she made sure her fans knew that the change would not affect her professional career.
“I just got divorced, so I had to drop my married last name. I just kept my middle name for my personal life. I’m still Kelly Clarkson,” she explained on the March 21 episode of People (the TV Show!). “I don’t think I can change Clarkson at this point. I’m 20 years in!”
Clarkson and Blackstock split in June 2020 after about seven years of marriage.
“I mean, it’s no secret. My life has been a little bit of a dumpster,” she revealed on the Today show months after announcing her breakup. “Personally, it’s been a little hard the last couple of months.”
What do you think about Kelly Clarkson’s new name, Kelly Brianne? Will you change how you refer to the singer?