Kelly Clarkson says she’ll never forget the moment her then-husband and manager, Brandon Blackstock, told her she wasn’t “sexy enough” to be a coach on The Voice.
In a testimony to a California labor commissioner, Clarkson explained that she had wanted to join the show for years, but Blackstock kept discouraging her. She claimed he told her NBC was looking for someone like Rihanna — a “sex symbol” who was also Black — and that she was too similar to Blake Shelton, who was already on the panel. The comment hurt deeply. As Clarkson put it, “A wife doesn’t forget a time she gets told she’s not a sex symbol.”
This moment came up as part of the messy legal fight that followed their 2020 divorce. Because Blackstock wasn’t just her husband, but also her manager, the split got complicated. The labor commissioner eventually ruled that Blackstock had crossed the line by handling deals only licensed agents are allowed to negotiate — including Clarkson’s contract with The Voice.
The decision ordered Blackstock to repay her $2.64 million. Nearly $2 million of that was tied to The Voice contract, with the rest connected to deals with Wayfair, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and the Billboard Music Awards. The commissioner also said Blackstock’s version of events “changed several times” and called him “not a credible witness.” He has since appealed the ruling.
Despite the discouraging words from her ex, Clarkson still joined The Voice in 2018. She stayed on the show until 2021, returned again in 2023, and managed to balance it all with hosting The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Clarkson and Blackstock were married for almost seven years before she filed for divorce in 2020. Their split included a battle over their Montana ranch, custody of their two kids — River Rose (9) and Remington (7) — and financial support. The 2022 settlement required Clarkson to pay $45,000 a month in child support and $115,000 in spousal support until January 2024.
When that final payment ended, sources said Clarkson felt “relieved” and ready for a fresh start. Soon after, the ruling in her favor against Blackstock brought an extra layer of closure.
In the end, Clarkson proved her critics wrong — including the one closest to her. She not only landed The Voice job but also became a fan favorite, showing the world that talent, hard work, and authenticity matter far more than outdated ideas of being a “sex symbol.”
