Kelly Clarkson gives rare update on her two children five months after ex Brandon Blackstock’s death

Kelly Clarkson has offered a rare update on her two children after her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock’s death five months earlier.

The 43-year-old singer – who recently shared a holiday photo with her kids – opened up about the topic during a Q+A clip shared to the official YouTube channel for The Kelly Clarkson Show on Saturday. 

The star is mom to daughter River, 11, and son Remington, nine – whom she welcomed with Blackstock. The pair had been married from 2013 until their divorce in 2022. 

At one point, a fan had sent in the question: ‘What is the one thing you do every day that brings you joy?’ 

Clarkson replied with, ‘Snuggle. My kids, they’re nine and eleven. 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.’ 

The Because Of You hitmaker then added, ‘There’s been a lot for our family recently, and so I have allowed my kids to sleep with me quite a bit.’

She continued, ‘It’s my two dogs, my two kids and me. It’s a lot.’

However, the mom-of-two noted that it is ‘special’ due to ‘the conversations you have during that time are pretty cute. So that’s probably my favorite time of day.’  

Blackstock passed away at the age of 48 on August 7, 2025 following a ‘brave and courageous’ three-year battle with melanoma, according to an obit shared by Butte Funeral Home at the time. 

One day before his death was announced, Clarkson took to Instagram to announce the postponement of the remainder of her Las Vegas residency concerts for August 2025. 

The following day, a rep for the family said in a statement: ‘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. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family.’

The statement concluded with, ‘We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.’

Before his marriage to Clarkson, Blackstock had tied the knot with his first wife Melissa Ashworth in 1999 until their divorce in 2012. 

The obit released upon his passing also revealed that the former talent manager had a ‘loving partner’ before his death. 

He had been in a relationship with Brittney Marie Jones and the pair lived a quiet and private life in Montana. 

Blackstock – who was the stepson of Reba McEntire – was also father to Savannah, 23, and Seth, 18, whom he welcomed with first wife Melissa Ashworth. 

Back in 2023, Clarkson previously offered rare comments about how her kids navigated their parents’ divorce. 

‘I literally ask my kids every night when we’re snuggling up in the bed, “Are you happy? And if you’re not, what could make you happier?” That’s it,”‘ Clarkson explained on the Angie Martinez IRL podcast.

‘Especially the past two years…it kills me [but] I want them to be honest so I don’t ever say, “Oh God, don’t tell me that.”

‘But a lot of times it would be like, “I’m just really sad. I wish Mommy and Daddy were in the same house.” They’re really honest about it. I’m raising that kind of individual,’ the star added. 

The Breakaway hitmaker added, ‘I just sit there and I’m like, “I get it. I’m from a divorced family as well. I get it. That sucks. But we’re going to work it out. And you are so loved by both of us.”‘

She explained, ‘I think [it’s important to be] communicating with them and…not treating them like an adult, because they’re not, but not treating them like a child. They’re not small feelings. Those are huge feelings, and those are huge emotions.’

Clarkson notably sued Blackstock after their divorce and accused him of making unauthorized business deals on her behalf. The former couple settled the lawsuit over commissions in May 2024.

A source recently told People that the singer is ‘heartbroken’ for her two children after Blackstock’s death. 

‘Losing their dad is incredibly painful and confusing. But she’s also very grounded. She’s not someone who falls apart.’

The insider added, ‘She looks at life realistically and does everything she can to make things as steady and loving as possible for her kids.’ 

Clarkson is prioritizing being there for her kids, with the source noting that the singer is ‘a great mom.’ 

She recently uploaded a rare family snap with River and Remington as they had a blast ice skating at Rockefeller Center in NYC during the holiday season.

In the image which the songstress uploaded to Instagram, the star flashed a cheerful smile as her kids posed in front of her along with another close pal.