Why Kelly Clarkson Feels a “Weight Has Lifted” After Moving Her Show to NYC

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.

Kelly shared this pic of her kids River and Remy backstage at her Las Vegas residency show Aug. 18, just before they joined their mom separately onstage for surprise appearances.

River and Remy appear with Kelly and celebrity guest Jason Momoa on The Kelly Clarkson Show

River and Remy join their mom as she receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in September 2022.

Who doesn't love a day at Disneyland with mom?

River and Remy are here to help put out fires and solve crime!

Running errands is way more fun when you have these two bundle of joys in the back seat.

In June 2018, Kelly Clarkson enjoyed some fun in the sun with her two kids, Remy and River Rose. 

River is already taking after her mom when it comes to performing, and Kelly couldn't be any more proud.

In 2018, the familyenjoyed Disneyland's Pixar Fest and hung out with Woody and Jesse...NBD.

When making her music video in 2017, the Texas native brought her daughter along for some behind-the-scenes fun.

It was take your kids to work day in September 2017 when the children's book author stopped by the Kathie Lee and Hoda show.

"NYC y'all ain't ready for Remy B......I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!" Kelly captioned this adorable snap of her little man.

Kelly was all smiles as she took this selfie with her daughter and pointed out that she was makeup-free in it.

In May 2017, the fam took in a Nashville Predators hockey game and they even rocked matching jerseys. 

For Mother's Day, the 37-year-old singer gave her mom a sweet shout out alongside this adorable photo of the three generations of women in her life.

Ugh, could this be any cuter of an Easter moment?

Remy's first birthday was a total blast and included a massive cake!

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.

While on a visit to Washington D.C., Kelly's little ones got a ride on a blanket courtesy of their half-brother Seth.

To celebrate the launch of her children's book, the mom of two shared this adorable snap of her and her daughter.

What little one hasn't hung out with Jimmy Fallon?

In October 2014, the singer shared her first photo of daughter River Rose.

(E! and The Kelly Clarkson Show are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)