How Kelly Clarkson Reached 30-Pound Weight Loss Goal And Found Love In Brandon Blackstock

Kelly Clarkson has finally found happiness. After 10 years on the music scene, a tumultuous ride of weight gain, failed albums and lesbian rumors, the American Idol alum says she feels better than ever. She has found love and has reached a weight loss goal of 30 pounds in just six months.

I know-where's the kick in the a--? I told my assistant that today, Kelly Clarkson said during an interview for the cover story of Redbook's July issue. I said, 'I'm just waiting for something to blow up.' She said, 'No, that's what happiness is.' I'm like, maybe I've never been happy! Because Brandon [Blackstock; her boyfriend] does, he makes me happy.

Clarkson made her first public appearance with new boyfriend, talent manager Brandon Blackstock, on May 31 at a Barn Party Bonfire Celebration in Whites Creek, Tenn.  The singer has been dating Blackstock, son of her manager Narvel Blackstock and Reba McEntire's stepson, since late last year, according to Us Weekly.

I'm so happy now, she told Us Weekly during a roundtable for her new ABC singing competition show, Duets. I love that I'm in a relationship right now . . .I want a life. . . The past five years or so I've found my groove and my balance.

Kelly Clarkson received a lot of flak for her weight gain, which critics noted during her appearance at the 2011 American Music Awards. Photo courtesy of Reuters.

I'm too happy! He's ruining my creativity! she joked. I'm writing all this happy sh--! It's killing me. People are going to be like, 'What the hell happened to you?' It's difficult. But awesome! she added. I'm not complaining. It's an awesome problem to have.

Not only has Kelly Clarkson found love, but she has also reached a 30-pound weight loss goal.

Clarkson decided to lose weight after watching her performance on VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul in December, a source told Us Weekly. She saw how heavy she was and she didn't like it. That's when she decided to really get into shape.

She feels better about herself than she ever has, the source added about the 5-foot, 4-inch singer. Clarkson is now just 10 pounds away from her target weight.

How did she lose 30 pounds in just six months?

I do cardio. I run. I strength-train using my own body weight. I don't like free weights, because I build muscle easily, Clarkson told Redbook. Really, what I try to instill in my fans is to be healthy and happy. I have no desire to be super-skinny.

Kelly Clarkson's new boyfriend, Brandon Blackstock, is the son of her manager. Photo courtesy of Twitter, @BBlackstock.

The 30-year-old singer is motivated to stay in shape for her new beau, as well.

Back in September, Clarkson told Access Hollywood that dating is like a lousy audition.  

I recently said -- I think it was to my manager -- I was like, 'You know what the problem is?' It's like an 'American Idol' audition. The worst ones are the most confident... And the same thing goes for my dating life. The worst guys are the most confident with me. 

And the ones you want to ask you out are intimidated, so yeah, it's not fun, she added. Dating is hard! 

That same manager who she complained to, father of her new boyfriend, is the reason she found Blackstone. Clarkson is thrilled with all that he has brought into her life. 

Brandon is the first guy who ever tell her how beautiful and sexy she is, a source told Us Weekly. She wants to look good for him.