“Workhorse” Kelly Clarkson kept going during her ex Brandon Blackstock’s private three-year cancer battle because she had no other choice.
The Grammy winner, 43, not only had a syndicated daily talk show to deliver, but she was also gearing up to launch her Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace in July, just weeks before his shocking death.
Blackstock passed away at age 48 on Thursday, August 7, after suffering from melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.
Clarkson held his diagnosis tight to her chest, with sources revealing she told her talk show staff the news in confidence and asked for confidentiality out of respect for the family.
Insiders reveal it was those staff members who kept Clarkson going through the hardest time of her life.
“A big part of it was making her schedule available for transporting the children to visit Brandon, and all of the emotions that came with this difficult time,” the insider told Us Weekly, referring to her mysterious “Kelly Clarkson Show” 10-episode absence earlier this year.
“Kelly is a workhorse. Hard work is all she knows. She hates disappointing people, truly. The thing that kept her going was knowing how many people depend on her, like her crews and employees,” they disclosed.
Clarkson, who postponed the remaining August shows of her Las Vegas residency this week, is set to return to work next month.
While her residency isn’t scheduled to pick back up until November, sources said “The Kelly Clarkson Show” is still scheduled to return for Season 7 in September.
Despite all the people that depend on her, the singer-songwriter’s main priority is her children.
Clarkson married Blackstock in 2013, and he managed her career. They shared two kids: daughter River, 11, son Remington “Remy,” 9.
The first-ever “American Idol” winner filed for divorce in 2020, and it was finalized in 2022.
“Her kids will come first, and she will find a way,” the insider shared with the outlet. “She loves her work, but nothing compares to a situation like this.”
“She has family and friends, but at the end of the day, it’s all on her,” the source explained. “Thankfully, the Blackstocks have come really close together in this time, so they would be happy to be there for the kids.”
Blackstock is survived by his three siblings and four children. Before marrying Clarkson, he welcomed daughter Savannah, 23, and son Seth, 18, with his first wife, Melissa Ashworth.
Just one month before his death, Savannah revealed she was expecting her second baby.
Blackstock also leaves behind his famous talent manager father, Narvel Blackstock, who previously managed Clarkson and his ex-wife Reba McEntire‘s careers.
His son took over control of Clarkson’s music management during their relationship.
Narvel and McEntire married in 1989 and divorced in 2015. They had one child together, Blackstock’s half-brother, Shelby, who broke his silence on Brandon’s death in an emotional tribute post.
While Blackstock wasn’t McEntire’s biological son, she always treated him like one and brought their broken family back together in the final months of his life.
In March, she was photographed alongside her ailing stepson, his half-brother, and the rest of their family at the rodeo in Houston, Texas.
Clarkson, meanwhile, is said to be “devastated” for her children over the loss of their father.
“When she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake,” a source told People after Blackstock’s death.
“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,” they added.
Blackstock’s family announced his passing in a statement obtained by The Post.
“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,” his loved ones shared on Thursday.
“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 added.
