Kelly Clarkson has put her family first amid ex-husband Brandon Blackstock’s private cancer battle, with a source shedding light into how she’s been coping.
“Kelly’s work schedule has been difficult over the last few months as she needed to take care of her kids,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly. “She needed the time off as her kids come first. It’s terrible and sad.”
Clarkson, 43, and Blackstock shared daughter River Rose, 10, and son Remington, 8.
“Kelly is a great mom and has needed to be there for her kids,” the insider adds, noting that “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” with Blackstock.
Brandon Blackstock Secretly Battled Cancer for 3 Years Before Death
Us confirmed on Thursday, August 7, that Blackstock died at the age of 48.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” a family spokesperson said in a statement. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family.”
The statement concluded, “We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
In addition to River Rose and Remington, Brandon is survived by father Narvel Blackstock, eldest children Savannah and Seth from his first marriage, and his grandchildren. (Savannah announced last month that she is expecting her second baby with husband Quentin Lee.)
Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock's Relationship Timeline
Clarkson postponed the remainder of her August concert dates in light of Brandon’s death.
“Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,” Clarkson wrote in a Wednesday, August 6, statement shared via social media. “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.”
Clarkson, who started her Studio Sessions residency in Las Vegas in July, was married to Brandon from 2013 to 2020. They settled their divorce two years later in 2022 with plans to amicably raise River and Remington.
“She has a great coparenting relationship with Brendan, but things haven’t always been easy in terms of their personal relationship,” a second source told Us in 2023. “They’ve come a long way and are handling things with their kids really well.”