Editor’s note: Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, has passed away following a three-year battle with cancer, his family confirmed in a statement on August 7.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” the statement read. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully, 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.”
On August 6, Clarkson announced she would be postponing her remaining Studio Sessions shows in Las Vegas, revealing that Blackstock had been ill for the past year. The singer explained that she would be taking the rest of August off to focus on caring for their children.
“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,” she shared on Instagram.
Clarkson and Blackstock divorced in March 2022 after seven years of marriage. They share two children: daughter River Rose (born 2014) and son Remington Alexander (born 2016). Clarkson resides in New York City, where she hosts The Kelly Clarkson Show.
The Grammy-winning singer has alluded to her split in her music, including the 2023 tracks “Mine” and “Me.” She also drew attention when she altered the lyrics to Gayle’s “abcdefu” during a 2023 performance on her talk show, seemingly referencing her divorce settlement. The agreement included a one-time payment of over $1 million to Blackstock, monthly spousal support until January 31, 2024, and child support exceeding $160,000 per month.
Reflecting on the end of her marriage in a 2023 interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Clarkson described the process as both heartbreaking and liberating. “It’s incredibly sad… there’s so much loss with that, and I never experienced grief like that,” she said. “We got to let each other go. This is not going to work for either of us.”
Earlier this year, Clarkson’s absences from her talk show made headlines. Between late February and March, guest hosts including Simu Liu, Roy Wood Jr., and TODAY’s Willie Geist stepped in during her time away.