Kelly Clarkson has recalled an emotional backstage moment with Dolly Parton that came at an especially difficult point in her life. The singer revealed that her divorce from Brandon Blackstock became final just 30 minutes before she performed in Parton’s honor. Clarkson said Parton sensed that something was wrong and offered support during their brief conversation backstage.
Kelly Clarkson recalls talking with Dolly Parton 30 minutes after her divorce was finalized
Clarkson shared the story during the Sept. 30 episode of Las Culturistas. She looked back on performing “I Will Always Love You” at the 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards.
The performance already carried enormous pressure for Clarkson. Parton had personally chosen the song, and Clarkson admitted she felt nervous about tackling one of the country legend’s signature tracks.
However, something much more personal happened shortly before she walked onstage.
Clarkson said her divorce from Brandon Blackstock became final about 30 minutes before the performance. Very few people around her knew what had happened at the time. Parton apparently noticed Clarkson’s emotional state during a backstage conversation.
“She kind of caught me,” Clarkson recalled, explaining that their conversation shifted after Parton realized she was dealing with something significant. Clarkson described Parton’s response as “beautiful” and said the interaction helped her in that moment.
The Kelly Clarkson divorce followed a difficult separation from Blackstock, whom she married in 2013. Their divorce concluded in 2022 after Clarkson filed to end the marriage in 2020.
Blackstock later died of cancer at age 48 in August 2025, bringing renewed attention to the family life he had shared with Clarkson and their children. His death at 48 came several years after the couple finalized their divorce.
Clarkson has also continued to speak warmly about Parton and the challenge of performing her music. She previously opened up about tackling “I Will Always Love You” while discussing another demanding Kellyoke performance.
For Clarkson, though, the 2022 ACM moment carried meaning far beyond the song itself.
She walked onstage while processing the end of her marriage, and a brief conversation with Dolly Parton gave her unexpected comfort just before one of the night’s biggest performances.
This story originally appeared on Realitytea
