Kelly Clarkson Silently Stood by Her Ex-Husband’s Side as He Slipped Away — Unseen Moments of Compassion Revealed Just Before Brandon Blackstock’s Death Leave Fans in Total Shock!
Kelly Clarkson Silently Stood by Her Ex-Husband’s Side as He Slipped Away — Unseen Moments of Compassion Revealed Just Before Brandon Blackstock’s Death Leave Fans in Total Shock!
“Despite their difficult divorce, he’s still the man she loved and still her kids’ father.”
Christopher Polk//Getty Images
Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband Brandon Blackstock has tragically passed away after battling cancer, and her number one focus is taking care of their kids.
“Kelly’s work schedule has been difficult over the last few months as she needed to take care of her kids,” a source tells Us Weekly. “She needed the time off as her kids come first. It’s terrible and sad. Kelly is a great mom and has needed to be there for her kids. Only a few people in Kelly’s circle [and] a handful of her show’s team [were aware of] what was going on behind the scenes.”
An insider also spoke to Page Six, saying “It’s been exhausting and so sad… Kelly has been working so hard, as well as looking after Brandon. Despite their difficult divorce, he’s still the man she loved and still her kids’ father.”
A rep for the family confirmed Brandon’s passing in a statement to People on August 7, just one day after Kelly canceled her Las Vegas residency and announced he’d been ill:
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” they said. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
“While I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children’s father has been ill. At this moment, I need to be fully present for them,” she wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, August 6. “I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”
As Star previously reported, an insider told Page Six last month that Clarkson been fighting “serious hidden battles” that “very few people” were “privy” to in recent months.
“Kelly’s personal life is so insanely complicated,” the insider said at the time. “It’s a source of emotional and therefore physical distress for her.”
Clarkson and Blackstock got married in 2013, but seven years later, the “Since U Been Gone” singer filed for divorce. It was finalized in March 2022.
This story is currently developing…
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Brandon Blackstock; Savannah Blackstock Lee
NEED TO KNOW
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Brandon Blackstock’s oldest child, daughter Savannah Blackstock Lee, shared news of her pregnancy just one month before his death
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The talent manager and former stepson of Reba McEntire died at 48 after being diagnosed with cancer
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He also shares two children with Kelly Clarkson, plus a son from a previous marriage
Savannah Blackstock Lee, the daughter of Brandon Blackstock, revealed she is expecting a child with her husband, just one month before her father’s death.
The 23-year-old Florida-based realtor, who also shares 3-year-old son Lake with Quentin Lee, posted to social media about the joys of seeing her family grow just weeks before the talent manager died at the age of 48.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson and Savannah Blackstock at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards
“We’ve been keeping a couple sweet surprises,” Savannah wrote on her Instagram page, which has since been set to private, on July 5. “One little girl will be making her arrival at the beginning of January and another beautiful girl named Julianna who has already been one of the greatest blessings to our family.”
The soon-to-be mother of two also thanked the Lord for being “so faithful” in her post.
“He’s written a story we never could’ve imagined, and His kindness in this season has left us in awe,” she concluded, adding a single white heart emoji. “He’s answered prayers we never even knew how to pray. This journey has been so special full of peace, excitement, and so much grace. We’re growing again, and our hearts are so full. Thank you, Jesus.”
Savannah’s baby girl is due in January 2026.
Blackstock is a father of four. He shares Savannah and his son, Seth, with his ex-wife, Melissa Ashworth. The former couple were married from 2001 until 2012.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson, 2020 Critics’ Choice Awards
He later remarried Kelly Clarkson, and the pair welcomed two children, daughter River in 2014 and son Remington in 2016. Blackstock and the “Because of You” singer, 43, split in June 2020, with their divorce being finalized in March 2022.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” a rep for the family told PEOPLE in a statement. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty
Kelly Clarkson
The night before the announcement, Clarkson abruptly postponed her Las Vegas residency, stating that she needed “to be fully present” for her children while their father was “ill.”
She also thanked her fans for their “grace, kindness and understanding.”
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On Thursday, a source told PEOPLE Clarkson was “devastated” after Blackstock’s death.
“When she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake,” the insider said. “Kelly has always tried to keep things classy. It became clear earlier this year that Brandon was not doing well. She’s been devastated for the kids.”
