Does it ring a bell when you hear the name, Stephen Michael Clarkson? It probably doesn't, as he is not a celebrity, but the controversial father of famous singer Kelly Clarkson. Other than that, he is a former engineer by profession.
Stephen Michael supposedly divorced his wife (Kelly’s mother Jean Clarkson) and left the family forever when Kelly was six years old. That means the singer and her father are not on good terms! And this is a story not exclusive to Clarkson, this is a story of many American households.
Kelly Clarkson’s Relationship with her Father
Stephen Michael married a first-grade English teacher, Jeanne Taylor on Christmas Eve in 1971. Stephen and Jeanne had three children namely; Kelly Clarkson (24th April 1982), Jason Clarkson (1973), and Alyssa Beth Clarkson (1976). Kelly Clarkson is the youngest of three children. Stephen also has two sons from his second marriage.
Stephen divorced Jeanne and left the family in the year 1988 that changed up the living situation for Kelly and her family. Kelly was sent to live with her mom, her brother Jason to live with his dad in California. Alyssa Clarkson had to live with their aunt in North Carolina. Clarkson spoke in an interview:
“We couldn’t even afford to call and stuff like that. We were all very poor.”
The early abandonment and her parents' divorce later inspired the song “Because of You” and Kelly Clarkson’s hit single, “Piece by Piece.” The lyrics are pretty emotional and close to her heart. Kelly has often said that she can’t get through the song without crying. While talking to Glamour magazine in 2015, the songwriter revealed the reason behind her heartfelt songs.
Over the years of separation, the three siblings reunited at Jason Michael’s wedding in Alaska, a year before Kelly became a hit. It was a great reunion after which the three have been more close ever since. In 2012, Jason got arrested in Texas for drinking and driving. Many people aspected Jason’s issues with alcohol to his parent’s complicated relationship and their sudden divorce.
“It’s a positive song, even though I know it sounds sad. I don’t know what my father went through and I don’t know why he left and made the decisions. I don’t understand it for me, but I understand the depth of what that is having a child now. He’s made me want to be that much more present in my family,”
Stephen’s divorce had a huge impact on the children. So the trio learned to appreciate their partners and children. Kelly has now made it clear she has no relationship with Stephen Michael at all anymore. She doesn't wish her father on Father's Day but never misses to remind her mother how wonderful she is!
Quick Facts about Stephen Michael Clarkson
- Stephen Michael Clarkson is better known as Kelly Clarkson’s dad.
- The song “Because Of You” recounts Kelly Clarkson's relationship with her estranged father, Stephen Michael Clarkson.
- Her father divorced her mother when she was six years old.
- Stephen Michael Clarkson left Jeanne and his three children at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
