Carly Pearce Reveals The Real Reason She Doesn’t Want Children
on Jul 25, 2026
Carly Pearce Shares Her Reason For Not Wanting Children
Country singer Carly Pearce is opening up about her decision to not want to become a mother.
At just 29 years old and on the verge of becoming one of country music’s biggest stars, Carly married fellow country singer Michael Ray. The couple first met in 2018 after performing together at several shows, and their relationship began after they connected on Instagram.
Carly and Michael got married the following year. Now, looking back at the fallout, the singer maintains that she got married for the “right reasons” and planned to “go the distance.”
The “Every Little Thing” singer recognizes that she and her now ex-husband got caught up in the excitement of it all.
“I think we didn’t really know each other… I knew the night I got married that I shouldn’t have, if I’m being completely honest,” Carly told Bunnie Xo on her Dumb Blonde podcast. “I think the best thing that ever happened to me was COVID, because it allowed me to deal with that in private. I think that I probably would have stayed in it longer if I could have avoided it… I was embarrassed when it happened, I had shame around that, and was heartbroken.”
Carly filed for divorce just one year later in 2020. When asked if there was a “final straw” that led her to end the marriage, she explained:
“It wasn’t what I signed up for. It just wasn’t the marriage that I know I deserved. I knew that very quickly… We were only married for eight months. Plenty happened to where it was very clear to me this was not – this just wasn’t a marriage.”
Carly Explains Why Having Children Was Never In Her Plans
Beyond the challenges of her divorce, Carly recently shared the heartfelt reasons she’s also chosen not to have children.
“Maybe some of you out here are like me. I always feel bad saying that I actually don’t want children,” Carly said in a recent TikTok video. “I love children. I love my friends’ children. I’m a great aunt. But it was never my dream.”
The 36-year-old explained that while she admires other artists who can both be a parent and pursue music, it was never her desire.
“My dream was to pursue country music and live on the road. I know that some people do that and they’re great at it. But it has never been my dream.”
Pearce said she believes society should “normalize people that truly know they don’t want kids,” adding that becoming a parent shouldn’t be expected of everyone simply because of societal pressure.
While Pearce said having children is not part of her plans, she revealed that she remains open to the idea of getting married again someday.
“I absolutely want to get married again and intend to get married again,” Carly told her followers. “And will never let my past hinder me from doing that again.”
In the meantime, Carly appears to be embracing both her successful country music career and the life she’s built on her own terms. Good for her!
