Kelly Clarkson has always been open about the struggles she faced during her painful divorce from Brandon Blackstock.
But now, following Blackstock’s death earlier this month after a private cancer battle, the singer and talk show host is reportedly wrestling with a whole new set of emotions—including lingering guilt over how their split may have impacted him.
A Divorce Played Out in the Public Eye
Clarkson and Blackstock’s marriage ended in 2020 after seven years together, and what followed was a highly publicized and bitter legal fight.
The couple clashed over finances, custody, and property, with Clarkson ultimately ordered to pay out millions.
Despite winning custody of their two children, River, 11, and Remington, 9, the drawn-out court battle left plenty of scars.
She agreed to a one-off payment of $1.3 million, monthly spousal support of $115,000 until early 2024, and $45,000 per month in child support until their kids reach adulthood.
On top of that, she handed over a portion of her Montana ranch after months of dispute.
Money, Lawsuits, and Lingering Tension
The financial fights didn’t end with divorce. Clarkson later accused Blackstock of making unauthorized business deals while managing her career and successfully sued him for $2.6 million.
He had allegedly overcharged her for bookings on The Voice and big-name endorsements.
Their relationship seemed permanently fractured, even as Clarkson channeled the pain into her 2023 album Chemistry, which laid bare the highs and lows of their marriage.
A Secret Cancer Battle
What the public didn’t know at the time was that Blackstock was quietly battling malignant melanoma, first diagnosed in 2022.
Clarkson’s absences from her talk show earlier this year—described then as a “personal matter”—were connected to his illness.
Earlier this month, she postponed her Las Vegas residency, saying only that her children’s father was unwell and that she needed to prioritize her family.
Shortly afterward, Blackstock’s family confirmed that he had passed away after more than three years fighting cancer. He was 48 years old.
Clarkson’s Quiet Guilt
According to insiders, Clarkson can’t help but wonder whether the stress of their bitter divorce and lawsuits may have weighed heavily on Blackstock during his cancer fight.
“She doesn’t blame herself,” one source said, “but she’s aware that the divorce, the financial battles, and the fact that he had to repay her millions was incredibly tough on him.”
Another insider added that Clarkson has been reflecting on how stress affects the body, admitting it crosses her mind that the strain of their split could have contributed to his declining health—even if that thought isn’t realistic.
Focusing on the Children
Despite the painful emotions, Clarkson is channeling her energy into their children.
Friends say she’s doing her best to shield River and Remington from the hardest parts of their father’s passing while being fully present for them.
“Kelly separated her personal feelings about Brandon after the divorce,” one insider explained.
“But when cancer entered the picture, it changed things. She had to think about her kids’ feelings and how to protect them.
Now that he’s gone, she’s leaning on her role as a mom to get through the grief.”
A Complicated Legacy
Blackstock’s obituary omitted Clarkson but highlighted his relationship with her former assistant, Brittney Marie Jones.
That, combined with their history of acrimony, has made the grieving process even more complicated.
For Clarkson, the situation is layered—grief for her children’s father, regret about their past, and relief that his suffering is over.
As one source put it, “She doesn’t feel great about how everything ended, but being there for her kids is helping her cope with the onslaught of emotions.”
