Kelly Clarkson and ex-husband Brandon Blackstock “changed their perspectives” on life after their bitter divorce during his three-year cancer battle.
“Co-parenting was not easy for Kelly because she was the one who had to transport the kids, so it was really her life that was always turned upside down,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly on Friday, August 8, adding that Blackstock’s health diagnosis didn’t necessarily bring the former couple “closer together” but instead “changed their perspectives.”
“She is their [children’s] primary parent. But this was catastrophic for them, so immediately Kelly went into mom mode and focused on the kids and how they were coping,” the insider added.
Clarkson, 43, also made sure the pair’s two children, River Rose and Remington Alexander, “were with their dad and his family as much as possible.”
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“She made a lot of concessions to make that happen. They have had a bunch of family events in the past months that she allowed her kids to be present for,” the source continued. “They were out there [in Montana] visiting him, and I know she let them miss school a bunch to attend a family wedding and Reba [McEntire’s] rodeo concert, as well as some other things that the entire family did together. She felt it was important.”
Blackstock died on Thursday, August 7, at age 48. The source told Us that his passing was “devastating for everyone” and “not expected — not in this timeframe, at least.”
Clarkson alluded to her ex-husband’s declining health on Wednesday, August 6, when she announced she was halting her Las Vegas residency. “Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,” she said in a statement shared via Instagram at the time.
“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. I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding,” Clarkson added.
The late talent manager’s family confirmed his death the following day.
“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,” a rep for the family said in a statement to Us. “We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
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Blackstock also shared two children with his ex-wife Melissa Ashworth. The pair were married from 2001 to 2012 and welcomed daughter Savannah in June 2002 and son Seth in November 2006.
Clarkson and Blackstock began dating in February 2012 and married in October 2013. Clarkson filed for divorce in June 2020 after seven years of marriage and was granted primary custody of their children.
