Kelly Clarkson is carrying heavy emotions after the heartbreaking death of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock.
The singer, who went through a bitter divorce with him just a few years ago, is now quietly struggling with guilt and painful questions about whether the stress of their split added to his health battle.
While no one can ever truly know the answer, Clarkson has been left to balance her grief with the responsibility of protecting their children and honoring the memory of the man she once loved.
Kelly Clarkson Reportedly Worried That The Divorce Affected Blackstock’s Health
It’s been nearly two weeks since Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband passed, and according to insiders, the songstress is not over the tragedy.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, a source revealed the “American Idol” winner is bothered about the thought of their divorce being a contributing factor to Blackstock's cancer struggle.
“Kelly is aware of talk that stress can impact the body and make someone more susceptible to cancer,” they explained. “Although the timing could be purely coincidental, she knows how much tension the divorce and lawsuits put on them.”
The insider clarified that Clarkson wasn’t holding herself responsible for his health struggles.
However, she was acutely aware that the divorce, combined with the financial burden of his return of millions, weighed heavily on him.
Insider Says Clarkson Feels She Could Have Done More
A second source also shared the same sentiments, revealing that the 43-year-old is deeply affected by Blackstock's passing, even if she has tried not to dwell on whether their history played a role.
According to them, Kelly Clarkson couldn’t help but wonder if the stress of the divorce and financial disputes impacted his health.
“The stress that all this brought is not good for anyone’s health,” the insider admitted, adding that while Clarkson knew it was unrealistic, she sometimes questioned if she could have done more.
At the same time, they emphasized that the mom of two has chosen to focus on her children as a way to manage her grief.
The source noted that although Clarkson set her personal feelings about the talent manager aside after the divorce, everything changed once his cancer diagnosis came.
“She felt bad, it took a toll on her because she had to think of her kids’ feelings and protect them,” they explained.
Kelly Clarkson Seemingly Absent From Memorial Organized By Jones
The revelation comes after Blackstock’s partner, Brittney Marie Jones, hosted a very private memorial in Montana.
The intimate gathering took place at his beloved home and was attended by close family and friends, who shared memories of the deceased.
According to sources, it was an emotional and unforgettable event as attendees spent time “hiking the roads he loved.”
While the memorial featured people who were dear to Blackstock, Clarkson appeared to be missing from the gathering.
Taking to his Instagram Stories, one of the attendees, Shane Tarleton, posted some highlights from the memorial, one of which showed people sitting around a fire pit.
However, the Grammy Award winner was nowhere to be seen.
Another of Blackstock’s friends, Amanda Craig, also posted clips from the ceremony, but there was no sighting of Clarkson.
Clarkson Withdraws From Charity Concert
Kelly Clarkson has yet to make a public statement regarding her ex-husband’s demise and is seemingly avoiding making public appearances.
Recently, she pulled out of the “Band Together Texas” benefit concert, held on August 17 at College Station’s Kyle Field.
The concert was put together by Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, and other Texas stars to raise money for victims of recent floods.
Clarkson was originally listed as a headliner but quietly withdrew, with organizers citing “personal circumstances.”
Her exit came shortly after she postponed dates for her Las Vegas residency to remain close to her children during their grief.
The benefit concert, which featured George Strait, Kacey Musgraves, and Jelly Roll, raised millions despite her absence.
Blackstock’s Obituary Reveals His Secret Affair With Kelly Clarkson’s Former Assistant
Meanwhile, the revelation of Blackstock’s secret affair still lingers in the news.
Days after his demise, the Texas native’s obituary revealed that he had been in a long-term relationship with Jones, his most trusted business partner and Clarkson’s former assistant.
Described as his “loving partner in life and business,” Jones and Blackstock had been together for around three years and had turned their bond into a thriving life in Montana, co-founding the Headwaters Livestock Auction and the Valley View Rodeo.
Their relationship appeared to begin after his separation from Clarkson but before their divorce was finalized in 2022.