In February and March, rumors began to circulate that Kelly Clarkson was going to leave her eponymous day-time talk show because of her numerous absences.
But it’s since been learned that Clarkson, 43, took time off to care for her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, who was battling melanoma, and to help their children, 11 and 9, prepare for his death, according to Page Six. Now, following news of Blackstock’s death Thursday at age 48, it’s been reported that Clarkson, despite her profound grief, will return to tape new episodes of “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”
TMZ reported that the NBC show is “locked” for a 7th season and the plan is to drop fresh episodes in September. Sources told TMZ that the show’s staff knew about Blackstock’s illness but kept it under wraps out of respect for the ex-couple’s privacy. TMZ said Blackstock had been sick for the past three years, becoming ill around the same time that he and Clarkson finalized their divorce after nine years of marriage.
The Daily Mail and Page Six reported that Clarkson “grieved” the end of their marriage amid a difficult divorce, and is now grieving his death.
“It’s been exhausting and so sad,” a source told Page Six. “Kelly has been working so hard, as well as looking after Brandon. Despite their difficult divorce, he’s still the man she loved and still her kids’ father.”
A Daily Mail source also said: “Kelly’s life has flipped upside down with Brandon’s cancer struggles and now death.”
“She’s been blessed with an incredible career and life, but once her marriage ended and once Brandon’s health started dwindling, it has been very rough,” the Daily Mail source continued. “She has always been a mother, but now she is in full ‘mom mode’. For her kids to go through this is just absolutely devastating.”
The Daily Mail source also said that Clarkson faces “the double tragedy” of dealing with her own grief, as well as helping her children, River, 11, and Remington, 9, cope with the loss of their father.
“She feels both a little lost and feels like she has to do everything to make it all make sense,” the source said. “It will be a long time for her to get back to the jovial Kelly we all know and love.”
But it appears that the “American Idol” winner hopes that getting back to work, doing her show, could help with her grief, though it remains to be seen if she’ll be back to her “jovial” self. And while TMZ says she’s ready to get back to work on her TV show, it’s not known what will happen with her Las Vegas residency.
The night before Blackstock’s death was revealed, Clarkson announced that she was canceling the rest of the August dates of her “Studio Sessions” residency to be with him, Page Six reported.
“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,” Clarkson shared on Instagram.
“I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding,” she said.
Clarkson’s next round of performances is scheduled for November 2025, Page Six reported, according to her website.
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