Music superstar Kelly Clarkson abruptly canceled her Las Vegas shows, informing fans that her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, was ill.
Although they had a contentious divorce, which concluded in 2022, Clarkson shared two kids with Blackstock, and she informed her fans that she needed to be there for her family.
“Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,” Clarkson wrote just hours before Blackstock, 48, died of skin cancer.
“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 added in an Instagram post. “I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”
According to People, Clarkson’s kids with Blackstock are a daughter and son, River, 11, and Remington, 9.
In 2014, Clarkson posted about River’s birth on X.
“Our baby girl River Rose Blackstock arrived on June 12th! Thank you everyone for all of your well wishes! Brandon and I are on cloud 9!! :)” she wrote.
A source told People that Clarkson is “devastated” for her kids after Blackstock’s death.
“When she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake,” the source told People. “Kelly has always tried to keep things classy. It became clear earlier this year that Brandon was not doing well. She’s been devastated for the kids.”
Clarkson and Blackstock had a contentious divorce. According to The New York Post, they were married for seven years before breaking up in 2020.
Clarkson had opened up in March about double standards regarding when mothers and fathers are away for their careers, the Post added.
According to the Post, Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock started dating in 2012. They moved in the same country music circles because Brandon Blackstock’s dad is Narvel Blackstock, the ex-husband of country music legend Reba McEntire.
Blackstock also brought kids into the marriage from a previous marriage.
“My best friend always says, ‘You just want to create the family you never had.’ I might be doing that,” Clarkson said to People. “In defense of my family, it happens. People fall out of love, and people go separate ways. People are human. I’ve accomplished a lot, but I guess the biggest success I want is that whenever I die people will say, ‘She was so successful as a mother and as a wife.’ That’s kind of a big goal.”
