As Kelly Clarkson has been navigating the unimaginable death of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, , her children have always “come first.”
“It has been draining, exhausting, emotional [and] devastating,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly of Blackstock’s diagnosis and untimely passing.
News broke on Thursday, August 7, that Blackstock died at the age of 48, after a private three-year battle with cancer.
“A big part of it was making her schedule available for transporting the children to visit Brandon, and all of the emotions that came with this difficult time,” the insider tells Us, referring to her Kelly Clarkson Show’s recent hiatus. “Kelly is a workhorse. Hard work is all she knows. She hates disappointing people, truly. The thing that kept her going was knowing how many people depend on her, like her crews and employees.”
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According to the source, Clarkson — who has also postponed her August concerts in Las Vegas — will likely return to her show at some point as the NBC hit is slated to come back the fall, as first reported by TMZ.
“Her kids will come first, and she will find a way,” the source adds. “She loves her work, but nothing compares to a situation like this.”
Clarkson and her children have since found solace in their loved ones amid Blackstock’s death.
“She has family and friends, but at the end of the day, it’s all on her,” the insider explains. “Thankfully, the Blackstocks have come really close together in this time, so they would be happy to be there for the kids.”
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Blackstock is survived by his parents, his three siblings, his four children and his grandchildren. The former music manager shared Savannah and Seth with ex-wife Melissa Ashworth, as well as River Rose, 11, and Remington, 9, with Clarkson, 43. (Savannah is currently expecting her second baby with her husband, Quentin Lee.)
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” a family spokesperson told Us in a statement on Thursday. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family.”
The statement continued, “We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
Clarkson and Blackstock were married for seven years before divorcing in 2022. While Clarkson received primary custody of their two children in the docket, she rearranged their schedules for frequent visits with Blackstock amid his cancer battle. He lived in Montana and worked as a full-time rancher, while Clarkson is based in New York City, where she films her eponymous talk show.
With reporting by Paola Leva