Carly Pearce Discusses Her Choice on Children and Future Marriage Plans

Country music star Carly Pearce has opened up about her decision not to have children. She responded on TikTok to a fan’s question about having kids and remarrying. Pearce was previously married to singer Michael Ray, and they divorced in 2020 after a year together.

Pearce expressed, “Maybe some of you out here are like me. I always feel bad saying that I don’t want children. I love children, I love my friends’ children, I’m a great aunt. But, it was never my dream.” At 36, her focus remains on her career in country music and her life on the road.

Pearce emphasized the importance of recognizing personal choices, saying, “I think we should normalize people that truly know they don’t wanna have kids. I don’t think it should be for everyone just because society tells us to.” She added, “So, I don’t want children and I’m totally okay with that.”

Addressing whether she would marry again, Pearce answered positively, expressing her desire to remarry without being deterred by her past marriage. She shared, “So what I was divorced. It was my start-up marriage and now I get to have the real one.”

Fans supported Pearce’s decision, with comments on her TikTok video encouraging her. One user wrote, “People who don’t want children shouldn’t have children. More power to you!” Another commented on the societal pressures women face, saying, “You should never feel bad. Women are validated so much by how they serve others as a wife, mother, etc. than just the person they are.”

Pearce and Michael Ray began their relationship in 2018, quickly moving from engagement in December of that year to marriage in October 2019 in Nashville. The marriage ended in June 2020 when Pearce filed for divorce due to irreconcilable differences, and the divorce was finalized in September.

Following her divorce, Pearce has been in a few relationships, including her current one with entrepreneur Jordan Karcher, founder of Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. They officially announced their relationship on Instagram in July 2025.