Kelly Clarkson Opens Up About Supporting Her Children After Ex-Husband’s Passing

In a recent backstage Q&A for her talk show, Kelly Clarkson shared a touching glimpse into her family life as they navigate grief five months after her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock’s death. The 43-year-old singer and host of The Voice revealed that her favorite daily activity is snuggling with her children, River, 11, and Remington, 9. “My kids, they’re 9 and 11. Kind of that special little fun stage where they can wipe their own behinds, but they’re still small enough to, like, love cuddling and love snuggles,” Clarkson explained warmly. She admitted that given recent family challenges, she’s allowed her children to sleep with her more frequently, creating a full bed with “two dogs, two kids and me.” Despite the crowded sleeping arrangement, Clarkson treasures these moments, noting, “It’s been really special, though, because the conversations you have during that time are pretty cute. So that’s probably my favorite time of day.” These simple nighttime routines have become precious opportunities for connection during a difficult time of adjustment.

The family’s world changed dramatically when Brandon Blackstock passed away in August 2025 after battling cancer for three years. The first public indication of his illness came when Clarkson postponed her Las Vegas concerts that same month, explaining that while she typically keeps her 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 apologized to ticket holders while expressing gratitude for their understanding. Just one day after Clarkson’s announcement, Blackstock’s family confirmed his passing through a spokesperson: “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family.” In the wake of this loss, Clarkson temporarily stepped away from both her daytime talk show and The Voice to focus entirely on supporting her children through their grief, eventually returning to work in September 2025. These difficult circumstances required Clarkson to balance her professional responsibilities with her most important role as a mother to children experiencing profound loss.

Sources close to the situation revealed that Blackstock’s illness had shifted perspectives between the former spouses, who had previously gone through a contentious divorce finalized in 2022. While the diagnosis didn’t necessarily bring them “closer together,” it fundamentally changed their outlook. “Co-parenting was not easy for Kelly because she was the one who had to transport the kids, so it was really her life that was always turned upside down,” an insider explained to Us Weekly. “She is their primary parent. But this was catastrophic for them, so immediately Kelly went into mom mode and focused on the kids and how they were coping.” This insight highlights Clarkson’s unwavering commitment to placing her children’s emotional needs first, despite the complicated history with their father. The same source emphasized that when faced with this family crisis, Clarkson immediately prioritized her children’s well-being, setting aside any lingering tensions from the divorce to help them process their grief.

While Clarkson has largely kept her feelings about Blackstock’s passing private, her former mother-in-law, country music legend Reba McEntire, has spoken more openly about the family’s loss. At the 2025 Emmy Awards, McEntire told Entertainment Tonight that the entire family “miss[es] him every minute.” She offered reassurance about the children’s wellbeing, saying, “The kids are doing well, they’re all bonding together and hanging out with each other, and taking it one day at a time.” McEntire, who was married to Brandon’s father Narvel Blackstock from 1989 to 2015, added a spiritual perspective on their grief journey: “We know God’s got this.” The connection between Clarkson and McEntire remains an important part of the extended family’s support system, demonstrating how complex family relationships can transcend divorce when united by love for the children involved. Later, in December 2025, McEntire publicly honored her late stepson on what would have been his 49th birthday with a heartfelt Instagram post featuring a throwback photo, writing: “Happy birthday Brandon! We love and miss you a bunch.”

Beyond River and Remington, Brandon Blackstock was also father to two older children from his previous marriage to Melissa Ashworth – Savannah, 23, and Seth, 18. This larger blended family context adds another dimension to the grief process, as four children across different households now navigate life without their father. For Clarkson, helping her younger children understand and process their loss while maintaining some semblance of normalcy presents unique challenges. Her approach of physical closeness and creating space for those “cute conversations” at bedtime reveals an intuitive understanding of what children need in times of grief – consistency, security, and the freedom to express their feelings in a safe environment. By allowing her children to sleep beside her, Clarkson is not only providing comfort but also remaining attuned to their emotional states during vulnerable nighttime hours when children often process their deepest feelings.

Throughout this difficult chapter, Clarkson’s public comments reflect her characteristic authenticity while still maintaining appropriate boundaries around her family’s privacy. Her willingness to acknowledge “there’s been a lot for our family recently” without dwelling on details demonstrates a thoughtful approach to discussing personal matters in the public eye. As one of America’s most beloved entertainers since winning American Idol, Clarkson has always balanced openness with discretion, and this situation is no exception. Her focus on simple, meaningful moments with her children – like bedtime snuggles – rather than elaborate statements about grief shows a grounded approach to parenting through crisis. By creating space for connection and conversation, while also maintaining professional commitments that provide stability, Clarkson models resilience for her children during an unimaginably difficult time. As the family continues moving forward day by day, those small moments of connection will likely remain the cornerstone of healing for River and Remington as they grow up with memories of their father and the ongoing love of their mother.