Piece by piece, Kelly Clarkson is starting a new life in New York City.
After The Kelly Clarkson Show host moved her daytime talk show from Los Angeles to the Big Apple, she's getting candid on how the relocation affected her and her two kids: daughter River Rose, 9, and son Remington Alexander, 7, whom she shares with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock.
"I'll be real honest: I thought I was making a horrible decision," Kelly told USA Today in an interview published Oct. 16. "I knew I needed a fresh start and couldn't be in LA. I really wanted to be in Montana, but you can't really do a show from there quite yet. So I was like, ‘The only other option would probably be New York.'"
She added, "I genuinely love it, and I love that my kids love it."
And not only do the kids like living on the East Coast, but Kelly—who finalized her divorce from Brandon in March 2022—also ensured their abode was up to par.
"At this point, I'm 40 years old. Mama rented something nice!" the Grammy winner quipped. "I was like, ‘I'm not living here unless it's right by the park and really nice for the kids.'"
As she raises her children on New York time, Kelly realized that the city has become the perfect spot for her NBC show to thrive.
"What's cool for me with season five is I am in such a great place, not only with my kids, but with me personally and with the show," she told the outlet. "I feel like a weight has lifted. That move was very needed. I think the thing I'm most excited about with season five, on a selfish level, is just showing up to work smiling and actually meaning it. That's a beautiful gift that you don't realize until you're out of it."
And these days, Kelly revealed that finding someone special to bring a smile to her face isn't out of the question either.
"I don't know that I'll ever get married again," she confessed on Glennon Doyle's We Can Do Hard Things podcast in June. "I would love whatever the future holds. I'm open to it."
But in the meantime, the "Stronger" artist has continued to share glimpses of her family life on social media, including photos of River and Remington popping onto the stage separately during her Las Vegas residency in August.
Kelly had her daughter join her on stage at the Bakkt Theater at the Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino to perform a duet of the sentimental track "Heartbeat Song," while her son came out to show off his dance moves.
"Both of my kiddos backstage getting ready to join me on stage in Vegas," Kelly gushed on Instagram the next day. "Nothing will ever be as cool and amazing as these two little humans that will always have my whole heart."
And for a look at Kelly's sweetest family photos, keep reading.
A Moment Like This
Kelly Clarkson's kids River and Remy, whose dad is her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, sweetly stole the show when they appeared on a December 2024 episode of her eponymous series.
Mother-Son Night Out
For the 2024 Grammys, the "Because Of You" brought her son Remy as her plus-one.
Fun Backstage
Kelly shared this pic of her kids backstage at her Las Vegas residency show in August 2023, just before they joined their mom onstage for surprise appearances.
Mom & Daughter Memories
The "Since U Been Gone" singer was joined by her daughter Remy at the 2022 People's Choice Awards.
Star Sighting
River and Remy celebrated their mom receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in September 2022.
Family Movie Premiere
In 2019, Kelly and Brandon attended the premiere of her movie UglyDolls with Remy and River as well as with his kids Seth and Savannah from his previous marriage. The American Idol winner filed for divorce from the manager the following year and their union was formally dissolved in 2022.
Visiting Mom at Work
River and Remy sat alongside celebrity guest Jason Momoa on their mom's talk show in 2019.
Lake Life
Kelly enjoyed some fun in the sun with Remy and River Rose in 2018.
Today Show Appearance
Kelly's kids made the cutest cameo when they joined Hoda Kotb on a 2017 episode of Today.
Howdy, Partner
Who doesn't love a day at Disneyland with mom?
In Charge
River and Remy were ready to help put out fires and solve crime in their costumes.
Road Trip
The kids buckled up for a family drive.
Disco Diva
River proved she already takes after her mom when it comes to performing, and Kelly couldn't have been any more proud.
Flying High
"NYC y'all ain't ready for Remy B......I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!" Kelly captioned this adorable snap of her little man.
Make-Up Free
Kelly was all smiles as she took this selfie with her daughter.
Girls on Set
When making her music video in 2017, the Texas native brought her daughter along for some behind-the-scenes fun.
Hockey Fun
In May 2017, the fam took in a Nashville Predators hockey game and even rocked matching jerseys.
Smooches
Ugh, could this be any cuter of an Easter moment?
Remy's Day
Remy's first birthday in 2017 was a total blast and included a massive cake!
Happy Holiday
Kelly and River braved the Tennessee winter temps to be a part of the Nashville Christmas Parade in 2016. And seriously, they're so stinking cute.
Play Time
While on a visit to Washington D.C., Kelly's little ones got a ride on a blanket courtesy of their half-brother Seth.
Book Launch
To celebrate the launch of her children's book, the mom of two shared this adorable snap of her and her daughter.
Three Generations
For Mother's Day, the singer gave her mom a sweet shout-out and posted this adorable photo of three generations.
Famous Friends
Live from New York...it's Kelly's little one hanging out with SNL alum Jimmy Fallon.
Mamma's Girl
In October 2014, the Grammy winner shared her first photo of daughter River Rose.
(E! and The Kelly Clarkson Show are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)