Kelly Clarkson ‘Walking Around in a Thick Fog' After Death of Ex-Husband Brandon Blackstock (Exclusive)
The 'Because of You' singer, 43, has been 'walking around in a thick fog' in the days following the late talent manager's passing, the source exclusively tells Star.
Blackstock died on August 7 'surrounded by his family' at his Montana home after a private three-year battle with melanoma, according to a statement shared with People. He was only 48.
'She's absolutely shattered and in no place to be performing on stage or hosting her show,' adds the source. 'That may change soon, it's a day by day situation.'
Clarkson has been using whatever 'small amount of energy' she has left to look after her and Blackstock's children — River, 11, and Remington, 9 — as she focuses on 'protecting and nurturing' them through their grief.
As for her work in television and music, the 'Since U Been Gone' artist postponed the rest of her August shows in her Las Vegas residency, and the source says she's asked 'TV bosses and concert organizers for as much time as they can spare her' so she can 'take care of the formalities, rest and recuperate' before considering a return to her bustling career.
'It's likely to cost her an absolute fortune due to all the costly postponements, but that's the least of her troubles right now,' continues the source. 'A big part of her would be happier quitting NYC and starting a whole new life in the countryside instead. She's tired of the rat race and just wants to be a mom.'
As Star previously reported, Clarkson took to Instagram to alert fans that she would have to postpone the rest of the shows in her Las Vegas residency to tend to her kids — one day before Blackstock passed away.
'I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding,' she said in the statement, shared on August 6.
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UFC 319 preview roundtable: Khamzat Chimaev's big moment, Dricus du Plessis' underdog status and more
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But as it is, he's confronting a force of preternatural pressure who will dive for his legs in the first six seconds with the intention of planting him into the earth. Having said all that, I think there's a path for DDP to beat this tyrant in the ranks … 2) What is du Plessis' path to victory? And what is Chimaev's? Chuck: Surviving the first round would be a key for Dricus. If Khamzat were a final pit boss in a video game, the one known (or at least heavily suspected) weakness would be his endurance in a fight. He tends to become closer to ordinary as the fight goes on, as the explorer Burns discovered. If Dricus can keep the fight standing in the first round, wearing down Chimaev gradually until he can turn into the clobbering downhill power-toddler with fewer repercussions to worry over, I can see the fight turning his way. As for Chimaev? Smeshville, baby. 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Either person winning this fight would feel so on brand for who they are. Chuck: For as suave as DDP has been as a champion in this organization, he's not a 'water cooler' commodity. We aren't discussing him with casual friends who dip their toes in these waters. Chimaev, on the other hand, is one of those fighters you fear may be lurking under your bed. In your closet and in your head, Petesy. I made a case that Chimaev could/should be a star in a column last week, and I think that holding the belt bumps him into that stratosphere of star that becomes 'must see.' He has a lot more upside than DDP in the marketing sense, and there are lots of matchups for him if the UFC can only coax him into staying busy. 4) Aaron Pico is the latest PFL/Bellator refugee to arrive into the UFC — is he a legitimate threat at featherweight? Chuck: I know we were big on Patricio Pitbull coming over from the PFL, yet his age (37 at the time) was a natural coolant. 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