Kelly Clarkson Focuses on Kids After Ex’s Long Cancer Battle
Jordan Collins here. Okay, I will explain, but try to keep up.
Kelly Clarkson has put her career on pause to support her children following the tragic loss of their father, Brandon Blackstock, who succumbed to melanoma on August 7 at age 48 after privately battling the disease for more than three years. The “Since U Been Gone” singer, 43, suddenly canceled her remaining August shows in Las Vegas, citing family needs—news first confirmed by her statement on Instagram and corroborated by a People Magazine insider.
When Clarkson married Blackstock in 2013, few would have predicted the storm ahead. She filed for divorce in June 2020 after seven years of marriage, with the final settlement reached in 2022 amid a highly publicized split. Despite a difficult legal battle—characterized by multiple court filings and tense negotiations—she remained steadfast in her wish to protect her children, River, 11, and Remington, 9, from negative talk about their father. “She never spoke poorly about Brandon to the kids,” a source told People Magazine after Blackstock’s passing. “Kelly has always tried to keep things classy.”
Earlier this year, signs emerged that Blackstock’s health was deteriorating. Clarkson had grown weary of juggling her Vegas residency, television appearances, and private caregiving duties. According to a report in Page Six, she quietly assumed a dual role—fronting sold-out audiences in Las Vegas by night and watching over Blackstock by day. “It’s been exhausting and so sad,” a source told Page Six. “Kelly has been working so hard, as well as looking after Brandon.”
In March 2023, Clarkson even stepped away from ten episodes of her daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, to be available for her family. On Angie Martinez’s IRL podcast, she revealed a nightly ritual: tucking her kids into bed and asking, “Are you happy? And if you’re not, what could make you happier?” The honesty that follows often breaks her heart. “I’m raising that kind of individual,” she said. “They’re really honest about it. I get it. I’m from a divorced family as well. That sucks. But we’re going to work it out. And you are so loved by both of us.”
After Blackstock’s family issued a statement confirming his peaceful passing, Clarkson withdrew from her planned Studio Sessions shows at Caesars Palace. She posted on Instagram: “While I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children’s father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them. I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”
Through the ups and downs of marriage, divorce, co-parenting, and now bereavement, Clarkson’s primary concern remains unwavering: the emotional well-being of River and Remington. Although her divorce and Blackstock’s cancer battle were painful chapters, she has managed to shield her kids from the harshest headlines, striving to maintain normalcy in their daily lives.
As Clarkson navigates life without her children’s father, she continues to balance her public persona with private grief. With fans awaiting her return to the stage and studio, this story is far from over—and you can bet she will keep giving those kids the support they deserve. Well, now you finally understand!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Page Six, The Post
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
