Brandon Blackstock Illness Caused Kelly Clarkson to Take Time Off From Talk Show

Kelly Clarkson’s absence from her self-titled talk show earlier this year has now been sadly explained. The singer and talk show host missed multiple tapings of The Kelly Clarkson Show in March, and several last-minute celebrity hosts filled in. Clarkson did not tell fans about the personal family matter that she was dealing with.

At the time, TMZ reported that Clarkson took time off from her show due to a “personal matter that [did] not directly involve her” and added that the Grammy-winning singer was “completely fine.” Clarkson returned to her show after nearly two weeks and never explained her absence.

In August 2025, sources told People magazine that Clarkson’s absence from her show last spring was due to her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock’s illness. Another source told Page Six that Clarkson was “looking after Brandon” during his illness.

On August 7, People reported that Blackstock died of cancer at age 48. He had been sick for three years and was surrounded by his family when he died.

Clarkson was married to Blackstock, a talent manager, from 2013 to 2022, and shared children River, 10, and Remington, 8, with him.

Kelly Clarkson Postponed Her Las Vegas Residency Due to Brandon Blackstock’s Illness

On August 6, Clarkson announced that she was forced to postpone the remaining August performances of her Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace due to her ex-husband’s illness.

In an Instagram post, Clarkson, 43, wrote, “Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas. 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.”

Clarkson apologized to fans who purchased tickets to her shows and said he appreciated everyone’s “grace, kindness, and understanding.”

While the couple had a difficult divorce, Clarkson once credited Blackstock for encouraging her to pursue a career in TV. After she won her first Emmy Award in 2020, Clarkson tweeted, "Thank you so much to @BBlackstock for believing in me & convincing me to do @KellyClarksonTV show.” She also thanked her assistant for her support.

Related: Kelly Clarkson Gives Emotional Speech After Unexplained Absence From Show

Brandon Blackstock Illness Caused Kelly Clarkson to Take Time Off From Talk Show first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 7, 2025