Kelly Clarkson was struggling to get through her residency show in the days leading up to her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock’s shocking death.
The singer, 43, broke down crying during her July 26 Las Vegas Studio Session residency concert while introducing fans to an updated version of her song “Piece by Piece.”
“Compartmentalization!” Clarkson said out loud while wiping away tears and attempting to get through the track in a newly resurfaced video recorded by TikTok user @modestishottest4u.
Elizabeth Martin3282/TikTok
The original lyrics were about Clarkson’s estranged father and how much better a dad and partner Blackstock was.
The song was released in 2015, five years before she filed for divorce from Blackstock, who tragically died at age 48 after losing his battle to cancer last week.
“I’ve never rewritten a song more and I probably never will,” she told the audience during the show last month. “I wrote this song with a lot of hope and projection for happiness and better than what was happening. And then, well, life set in and I had to change the lyrics. Everybody was like, ‘Wait, why aren’t you singing this song?’ And I was like, ‘Have you heard the lyrics?’ That’s fun. Embarrassing.”
Clarkson reworked the lyrics in 2023 while going through her nasty divorce battle with her late ex-husband and explained why she changed them once again.
“We did it [the song] one time, I did a residency here, and then I was like, ‘You know what, that sounded a little angry,’” she said. “So I just wanted to explain how it feels now. I’m 43. I’ve done some therapy, and I changed the lyrics now and I think it’s perfect. I promise. I’m not gonna change it again.”
She added, “It just represents, kind of, I don’t know I feel like we grow up, right? And this is the more grown up version of it.”
However, Clarkson still struggled to even start the song.
“I’m really trying to pull it together,” the entertainer shared while turning her back to the cheering audience to collect herself.
“Screw it, let’s just sing it. This is ‘Piece by Piece,’” she declared before belting out the verses.
Two years ago, she sang, “I just walk away, when they ask for money. I take care of me ‘cause I love me. Piece by piece I restored my faith that a heart can still beat even when it breaks,” an alleged reference to all the money Blackstock requested during their legal fight.
But last month, Clarkson sang, “I’m learning everyday how to love me. I let go of the shame that you taught me. Piece by piece I restored the faith that a heart can still beat even if it breaks.”
Just days later, on August 6, the Grammy winner abruptly canceled the month’s remaining residency shows due to Blackstock’s illness.
“Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,” Clarkson wrote on her Instagram, just two days before she was set to take the stage,” the singer shared last week.
“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,” the singer added.
“I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”
The next day, Blackstock’s family revealed his death.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away. Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years,” they said in a statement obtained by The Post on Thursday, August 7.
“He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time,” they concluded.
Clarkson married Blackstock — her former talent manager — in 2013. She filed for divorce in 2020, with the exes fighting over custody of their two children, daughter River, 11, and son Remington “Remy,” 9.
The divorce was settled in 2022, with Clarkson getting primary custody of their kids and Blackstock walking away with $115,000 per month in spousal support until January 2024 and a monthly amount of $45,600 in child support.
Clarkson is said to be “devastated” for the children over the loss of their father. Blackstock was also a parent to two others: daughter Savannah, 23, and son Seth, 18, from his first marriage.
“When she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake,” a source told People after his passing. “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.”
The “Since U Been Gone” singer’s next residency show isn’t scheduled until November 7, but she won’t have too much time to mourn.
Clarkson’s syndicated talk show, which debuted in 2019, is set to return for its seventh season this fall, meaning she’ll be filming new episodes in September, according to TMZ.
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