Kelly Clarkson, with her voice imbued with gratitude, conveys a heartfelt message. The beloved talk show host has made her long-awaited return to social media, posting an emotional tribute on Instagram to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of her American Idol victory, amidst the poignant backdrop of her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock's passing. Brandon, the father of her cherished children River, 11, and Remington, 9, left this world at the age of 48 after a courageous battle with cancer, as confirmed by his representative on August 7.
On September 4, Kelly penned a moving message, "To all who took the time 23 years ago to vote for me, my heartfelt thanks. Winning American Idol was a life-altering experience, and I am eternally grateful for your unwavering support over the years." She continued, her gratitude shining through, "To discover one's purpose and passion is a gift beyond measure, and to earn a living from it is the icing on the cake. Thank you, always."
This milestone comes at a particularly challenging time for Kelly's family. Despite the sorrow, Kelly, whose NBC show is set to return on September 29, announced she would postpone her Las Vegas residency concerts to be by her children's side during their time of need. In an August 6 Instagram statement, she opened up about her former husband's illness, sharing, "While I usually keep my personal life private, my children's father has been unwell for the past year, and now, I must be fully present for them. I sincerely apologize to all ticket holders and deeply appreciate your understanding and kindness."
Kelly, 43, and Brandon, who is also father to Savannah, 23, and Seth, 18, from his previous relationship with Melissa Ashworth, separated in 2020 after seven years of marriage, finalizing their divorce two years later. Throughout their separation, Kelly made it clear that their children's well-being remained their paramount concern. She revealed during a 2023 episode of the IRL podcast, "Every night as we snuggle, I ask my kids if they're happy and what could make them happier. I communicate with them, acknowledging their feelings as significant, not brushing them aside as childish."
During their separation, Kelly experienced profound emotions, acknowledging to her children that her love for their father would always endure. "I don't know if that love ever fades," she mused. Her strong feelings towards Brandon and their life together were evident, even noting the serendipitous timing of her performance of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" at the 57th ACM Awards shortly after their divorce was finalized in 2022. Reflecting on the moment in a 2023 SiriusXM interview, she said, "It was a significant moment for me, unknown to anyone else."
Throughout their nearly decade-long romance, Kelly openly declared her love for Brandon. Notably, she penned the song "Piece by Piece" in his honor shortly after River's birth in 2014, releasing it a year later. Speaking to Glamour about the song, she explained, "I realized how incredible a father my husband is – changing diapers, staying up with the baby, and waking up with her in the morning if I've had a late night. We are true partners, and I feel incredibly lucky." Although she later altered the lyrics to reflect her journey post-divorce, the song's emphasis on family remains the same. "I now understand the profound depth of parenthood," she added. "It's a positive song, even though it may sound melancholy." In the lyrics, Kelly sings of Brandon, "Piece by piece, he restores my faith / That a man can be kind / And a father should be great."
