Kelly Clarkson broke the silence on social media almost a month after the death of her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock.
The “Bed of You” singer marked the 2002 “American Idol” victory anniversary in a commemorative post via Instagram on Thursday, sharing a throwback photo from an episode of the season 1 finale.
“Thank you to everyone who took a long time to call me and vote 23 years ago. ‘My life changed, winning ‘American Idol’. I am forever grateful to everyone who has supported me for so many years,” she captioned the post.
“It’s always cherry blossoms that you can find your purpose and passion and make a living from it. Thank you as always.”
The Instagram post comes from Clarkson (43-year-old Clarkson just over a week) who first surfaced on LAX after the death of his former talent manager last month.
Blackstock – who shared 11-year-old daughter River and 9-year-old son Remington with Clarkson – passed away on August 7th after years of private battle with cancer. He was 48 years old.
Clarkson announced on Instagram that she had cancelled the rest of the August Las Vegas show to “fully exist” in her family amid Blackstock’s illness.
“We are so grateful to everyone who purchased tickets for the show and we appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding,” she wrote to fans.
Exes previously settled their controversial divorce in 2022 after fighting in court for many years. However, the “more powerful” hitmaker spent much time caring for Blackstock in the months leading up to his death, sources previously told Page 6.
In addition to cancelling the opening of the Las Vegas residency in July, she shocked fans when she suddenly left her talk show of the same name in March.
“It’s so tired and sad,” the source said at the time. “Kelly not only caring for Brandon, he works hard. Despite their difficult divorce, he is still the man she loved and the father of her children.”
It appeared that Blackstock had moved from the singer along with former assistant Britney Marie Jones, who was listed in Blackstock’s obituary as “a beautiful, loving partner in life and business.”
However, the show continues for Clarkson, who is expected to return to the daytime talk show later this month.
The seventh season of the “American Idol” alum show will premiere on September 29th. Clarkson returns as host of a new episode.
Production in the season will begin the week of September 8th. Her Vegas residency is expected to resume in November.
