Flashback to Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock’s Final Critics Choice Red Carpet Moment
Hi, I’m Quinn Parker and I have had at least three double-shot espressos so buckle up because this is a whirlwind! Do you remember the Critics Choice Awards of January 2020? That night marked Kelly Clarkson and her then-husband, talent manager Brandon Blackstock, making their last joint red carpet appearance before life took them on very different paths.
As your over-caffeinated aunt spilling thoughts faster than you can keep up, I need to tell you that this snapshot is practically historic. Brandon, who sadly passed away at 48 on August 7 after battling melanoma in private, had receded from the public eye in recent years. Yet on that chilly January evening at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, he was by Kelly’s side looking every bit the supportive spouse. They posed with smiles, photographers snapped away, and fans couldn’t help but gawk at their chemistry.
Fast-forward just months later, and whispers of trouble became headlines: in June 2020, Kelly Clarkson filed for divorce after nearly a decade of marriage. The split turned into a legal tug-of-war over spousal support, custody of their two children—River Rose, now 11, and Remington Alexander, 9—and division of property. According to People Magazine and court records obtained by The Post, a judge ultimately awarded Brandon $115,000 per month in spousal support until January 2024, and $45,600 monthly for child support, with the case closing in March 2022.
Brandon had a larger family back home too. With his first wife, Melissa Ashworth, he shares daughter Savannah, 23, and son Seth, 18. Just a few weeks before his passing, Savannah surprised her Instagram followers by announcing baby number two on July 5, revealing with heartfelt thanks that her growing family was once again full of grace and anticipation.
After Brandon’s family released a statement to The Post confirming his peaceful passing surrounded by loved ones, grief rippled through Kelly Clarkson’s life. Mere hours later she postponed the remainder of her August Las Vegas residency, citing the need to be “fully present” for her children – a revelation shared via her Instagram page. Earlier in July she had already rescheduled opening weekend at Caesars Palace, blaming vocal strain and health concerns after pouring herself into rehearsals.
Music had always been Kelly’s refuge. Her 2023 album Chemistry channeled emotions from the divorce, which she told People Magazine was a form of taking back power. She opened up about how songwriting offered both therapy and triumph as she navigated heartbreak and healing.
This flashback to that last red carpet moment shows how life can swivel from glamour to grief in the blink of an eye. It reminds us that behind every celebrity snapshot are real people experiencing love, loss, and resilience. Okay, I need to calm down after that whirlwind recap!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, The Post, Instagram
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
