Darius Rucker Says He’s Learned ‘a Lot’ About Himself Through His Divorce: ‘Life Goes On’

For Darius Rucker, the divorce was a learning experience.

The Hootie & the Blowfish frontman, 57, opened up about his divorce from estranged wife Beth Leonard — which he announced on social media in July 2020 — in a new episode of Apple Music Today’s Country Radio with Kelleigh Bannen.

Asked what he learned about himself by divorcing Leonard, 56, after 20 years of marriage, Rucker said, “A lot.”

He quickly clarified, telling host Bannen, “I learned there is help for people.”

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“You know, being raised the way I was and where I was, it’s not always … and especially in the black community, it’s often frowned upon,” continued Rucker, who was born and raised in South Carolina. “But I learned that there are many people who will talk to you and who will help you a lot.”

Darius Rucker said he’s learned “a lot” about himself since divorcing ex-wife Beth Leonard.

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Rucker, who wrote the emotional song “Never Been Over” about his split, also said music has “always been my therapy.”

Of the song — which features the lyrics, “We’ve been a lot of things / But we’ve never been more” — the singer-songwriter said, “You write a song like that, and you sing it over and over, and sometimes you cry when you sing it.”

“It’s just one of those songs and I love it,” he said, adding that when he finished it, “he was like, ‘Man, that was therapy.'”

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The “Only Wanna Be with You” singer also said that when it comes to divorce guilt, he’s “a lot more forgiving at 50-something than a mid-20-something” — because he should be.

Darius Rucker and Beth Leonard announced their separation in July 2020.

Count Džemal/WireImage

“You have to, because life goes on,” Rucker, who shares a daughter Daniela (22) and a son Jack (18) with Leonard, told Bannen.

“Your kids are still your kids and you have a life and you try to make the best of it,” he said. “As I always say, [Leonard is] holy shit, she’s an amazing human being, and she’s a great mom. And we go through life.”

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Earlier this year, Rucker spoke similarly about Leonard and their split, telling PEOPLE that despite all the hurt, they’re “still family” — and “she’s a great human being.”

“Those things hurt and you feel like a failure,” Rucker said of the divorce. “But we’re still a family — a piece of paper isn’t going to change that. We’re still family and it’s all because Beth is awesome. She knows it’s best for the kids and she’s a great human being.”

At the time, the “Let Her Cry” singer also said that entering the dating world wasn’t on his mind. Instead, Rucker is focused on being a good father to Daniela, Jack and Carolyn, his 28-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

“I’m not thinking about it right now,” he told PEOPLE. “I’m just trying to be the best father to those grown children.”

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Source: HIS Education