Jul. 20 2023, Published 5:00 a.m. ET
After her ugly divorce, Kelly Clarkson poured her heart and soul into a new album, Chemistry, which is why she is devastated that it sold a piddling 53,657 copies, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
“That Kelly’s album about her divorce is tanking is almost as crushing as the failure of her marriage,” dished a source.
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“Kelly is dismayed by the pathetic numbers, especially after she did a ton of press to promote it,” the insider explained. “Having a hit talk show is wonderful, but Kelly considers herself first and foremost a singer. If she had to pick between a TV career and singing, singing would win every time.”
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What is particularly galling for the 41-year-old American Idol vet is Chemistry is Clarkson’s most personal record yet, inspired by her ugly 2021 divorce from Brandon Blackstock, 46, the father of her two kids.
“Kelly put everything out there in a raw and honest way,” a pal spilled to the National Enquirer. “This is the most revealing album she has ever made and to find out no one cares is heartbreaking.”
What’s even more infuriating is that fans begged her to put out a cover album. Kelly caught attention by covering other artists’ songs on her talk show.
“Everyone was pushing her to put out an album of cover songs she has performed on her TV show, but she refused. She should have listened to them!”
RadarOnline.com has reached out to Clarkson’s rep for comment.
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Clarkson revealed she gave her ex a heads-up about the album, sharing the two had “a little text exchange about it.” She also warned him the whole thing wasn’t just about their brutal divorce.
“I don’t even remember why or how it happened, but I was like, ‘Hey, I didn’t just diminish us down to one (thing).’ You know what I’m saying? It’s all in there, the ride. The beauty is in there, as well. Now, there’s a lot of pain, but that’s what happens, for all of us.”
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Clarkson’s record bombing isn’t the only thing she might have to brace herself for.
As RadarOnline.com exclusively reported, the Because Of You singer’s move to New York City might ignite a costly new custody war with Blackstock.
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Clarkson settled their messy divorce last year, gaining primary custody of their nine-year-old daughter, River Rose, and seven-year-old son, Remy. Her ex was awarded $150k a month in spousal support and $45,601 in child support — plus he gets the children one weekend a month.
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One source added that Blackstock — who still has ongoing litigation with Kelly over commissions from his time as the Since U Been Gone singer’s manager — could make things even harder and more expensive for her.
“Brandon can demand Kelly pay for his flights to New York to see River Rose and Remy and also pick up the tab for a posh hotel stay,” the pal shared last month added.
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“It’s the kind of case that’s been argued successfully for divorced parents,” they added. “Kelly doesn’t want to dole out another dime to Brandon, but she may have to in order to avoid another nasty court battle.”