Carly Pearce, the country music star, has opened up about her brief marriage to Michael Ray, revealing her feelings about the relationship during a recent podcast interview. Pearce shared that she realised on her wedding night that their union was a mistake, which ultimately led to her decision to file for divorce just eight months later.
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The couple exchanged vows in October 2019 but parted ways by June 2020. During her conversation with journalist David Begnaud on the podcast “The Person Who Believed in Me,” the 36-year-old singer reflected on the early signs that suggested her marriage was not meant to be. “You know when you just know something’s not how it should be?” she remarked. Pearce noted that those close to her were aware of the troubles in her marriage, as Michael Ray made it clear that she had made a significant error in judgment.
When questioned about her choice to marry Ray despite her doubts, Pearce explained, “There’s a bit of Jekyll and Hyde that I did not see until it was too late.” Her honesty about the situation illustrated the complex emotions tied to her experience. Despite the pain of the separation, Pearce expressed gratitude for the lessons learned from her short-lived marriage.
“It taught me just how strong I am,” she stated, revealing that she realised very quickly she deserved better than what her marriage offered. “I blew up my life to get out of it,” she added, emphasising her determination to leave a relationship that no longer fulfilled her. Pearce further clarified that her choice to end the marriage was not influenced by societal expectations or her faith, but rather by her understanding of her own needs.
While reflecting on the circumstances surrounding their union, Pearce voiced her confusion as to why Ray had wanted to marry her. “I don’t know. I’ll never know,” she said, capturing the bewilderment that often accompanies failed relationships. Her candid remarks highlighted the disconnect she felt and reinforced her understanding that the marriage was not what she envisioned for her life.
In her healing process, Pearce turned to songwriting, crafting her experiences into her 2021 album titled “29.” She described the album as a collection of six intense songs that served as her way of processing the divorce. “I thought it was just my story,” she noted, “but what I’ve learned is that it’s a lot of different people’s story.” Her music has resonated with various listeners, underlining the shared experiences many face during difficult times.
Reflecting on the timing of her divorce, Pearce mentioned that the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in her journey. She suggested that, had the pandemic not occurred, she might have remained in the marriage longer. “I think the best thing that ever happened to me was COVID,” she recalled, explaining that it provided her with the space to deal with her emotions privately. The sense of embarrassment and shame she experienced during the separation was alleviated by the isolation brought on by the pandemic.
As Pearce moves forward in her personal life, she has been enjoying a new relationship with entrepreneur Jordan Karcher. The couple made their romance Instagram official in July 2025 with a charming selfie, labelled as a “hard launch” by Pearce. The couple met on the dating app Raya and has since appeared content in sharing their lives together.
Celebrating their first anniversary on April 30, Karcher took to social media to post a series of snapshots of their time together, expressing his admiration for Pearce with a heartfelt message. In response, she echoed his sentiments, expressing her joy in their relationship and eagerness to continue their journey together.
Pearce’s candid reflections on her past relationship with Ray and her current happiness with Karcher illustrate a powerful narrative of growth and resilience. Through her music and personal experiences, she highlights the importance of self-discovery and the strength it takes to pursue one’s happiness, regardless of societal pressures.