Kelly Clarkson is sleigh-ing the holidays this year—and not just with her voice. The OG American Idol winner, holiday album queen, and all-around powerhouse, Kelly dropped a festive little nugget of shade that’s got fans humming “Ooooh, burn!” while sipping their hot cocoa.
So, what happened? Let’s unpack the Christmas tea.
On Thursday (December 19), Kelly gave the world a peek at her fireplace visualizer for When Christmas Comes Around… Again, and oh boy, did she let her creative juices flow. The scene was classic holiday cheer: a cozy fireplace, stockings hanging from the mantle, garland twinkling with Christmas lights…and a side of savage humor.
Here’s the kicker: The stockings. They weren’t your average “Merry Christmas” variety. The first stocking was labeled “MOM” (obviously Kelly—Queen of the Castle). The next two had the names of her adorable kiddos, River and Remy. Aww, how cute! And then…we get to the fourth stocking. Does it say “DAD”? Nah. “HOPE”? Nope. Oh wait—it literally says “NOPE.”
Fans lost it. Is Kelly tossing a little holiday shade at her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock? Some internet detectives think so, calling it a spicy sign of “healing.” Others think she’s simply declaring her relationship status loud and proud: single, fabulous, and not sharing her eggnog. Either way, Kelly’s stocking game is giving major “Christmas Isn’t Cancelled (Just You)” vibes—yes, that’s an actual song title from the album. Subtlety? Not in Kelly’s stocking, honey.
In case you need a refresher, Kelly and Brandon called it quits after nearly seven years of marriage in 2020. Their divorce was finalized in 2022, but not without some courtroom drama. Kelly even accused Brandon and his dad’s management firm of some shady business dealings, because apparently, “Silent Night” doesn’t apply to lawsuits. They finally settled in May 2024, leaving Kelly free to focus on what she does best: belting out hits and casually roasting her ex like a holiday ham.
So this Christmas, Kelly Clarkson isn’t just decking the halls—she’s dropping mic drops and singing carols of independence. Moral of the story? If life hands you a bad breakup, you can either cry in your cocoa or slap “NOPE” on a stocking and laugh all the way to the top of the charts. Team Kelly forever. 🎄