TORTURED BY THEIR EXES

Kelly's Still Fighting Brandon in Court

It's been almost four years since Kelly Clarkson pulled the plug on her marriage to her former manager, Brandon Blackstock, and two since they settled their divorce. But their legal battles continue to rage on.

"While Kelly has moved on emotionally from Brandon, she has no problem being tied up with him in court if it concerns her business and career," says a source. "She doesn't disparage him in front of the kids, and she's cordial and civil, but when it comes to the law and her money, she won't be bulldozed."

BITTER BACK & FORTH

First, they fought over custody of kids River Rose, 9, and Remington, 8. Then came a property battle. The singer and talk show host, 42, came out on top, securing full custody and 95-percent ownership of her $17.8M Montana ranch - though she was ordered to pay her ex a $1.3M lump sum plus $115,000 in monthly spousal support until January 2024.

Now she's suing, demanding he pay her the more than $2.6M a California labor commissioner ruled she's owed in November - repayments for commissions Brandon, 47, and his former management firm took while acting as Kelly's "unlicensed talent agents." (He's denied "each and every allegation" in her March lawsuit.) "Their marriage was full of twisted lies," claims the source. "She just wants what's hers."

Relocating to NYC in 2023 "gave Kelly a new beginning," adds the source, who says "a core group of friends Kelly's known for 30 years have been her rock." Though she insisted last fall that "I love being single," she's also admitted she'd "love to fall in love" again. "Everyone is eager to set her up," says the source, "and she does go out to meet people, but there hasn't been anything very serious yet."

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