Carly Pearce is opening up about one of the most painful moments of her life — realizing her marriage was over almost immediately after it began.
In a new chat on The Person Who Believed In Me podcast, the country singer admitted she knew on her wedding night that she had made the wrong decision, saying her ex-husband “made it very clear” almost instantly.
Looking back now, Pearce says the experience changed her in ways she never expected.
The Moment Carly Knew
Pearce, 36, reflected on her short-lived marriage to fellow country singer Michael Ray, whom she married in October 2019 before filing for divorce less than a year later.
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According to Pearce, the cracks appeared almost immediately. “He made it very clear that I made a very big mistake,” she said.
The “What He Didn’t Do” singer explained that there was “a bit of Jekyll and Hyde” behavior she didn’t fully recognize until after the wedding.
Still, Pearce said she eventually found gratitude in the experience because of what it taught her about herself.
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“That’s something I’m grateful for my very short marriage, because it taught me a lot about myself,” she shared. “It also gave me the album 29.”
Walking Away From the Marriage
Pearce also spoke candidly about the difficult decision to leave, especially with the pressure that can come from marriage, faith and public expectations.
I blew up my life to get out of it. I didn’t stay because society tells you, ‘you should.’ I didn’t stay because my faith says divorce is bad. I didn’t stay because ‘oh, it’s public. I need to do that.’ I was done.
Rather than staying in a situation she knew was unhealthy, Pearce chose to walk away despite what others may have expected from her.
Turning Heartbreak Into Music
The end of the relationship ultimately inspired Pearce’s deeply personal album 29, which featured emotional songs including “What He Didn’t Do” and “Next Girl.”
Pearce admitted songwriting became the way she processed everything emotionally.
“I need to write it out to process it,” she explained, adding that she originally wrote “six really intense songs” about the divorce.
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While the experience was clearly painful, Pearce says it also taught her “just how strong” she really is.
Moving Forward
Since then, Pearce has continued building one of country music’s most respected careers while also moving forward in her personal life.
In 2025, she confirmed her relationship with entrepreneur Jordan Karcher.
Top 20 Carly Pearce Songs
From her heartbreaking ballads to messages about fun and faith, these are Carly Pearce’s best 20 songs (so far).