Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, dead at 48 after melanoma battle
'It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,' a family spokesperson told Page Six Thursday.
'Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time.'
A source also confirmed to Page Six that Blackstock had recently been in hospice. Per TMZ, he was privately fighting melanoma, which is a serious form of skin cancer, and died Thursday morning.
The heartbreaking news comes less than 24 hours after Clarkson announced via social media that she was abruptly canceling her Las Vegas residency due to her ex being 'ill.'
'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,' she wrote via Instagram Wednesday.
'I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.'
Clarkson, 43, and Blackstone — who settled their divorce in 2022 after years of contentious court battles — shared two children: River, 11, and Remington, 9.
In the divorce, the 'American Idol' alum was granted primary custody of their kids, but ordered to pay the music manager $115,000 a month in spousal support until January 2024.
Despite their differences, Page Six exclusively learned Thursday that Clarkson helped care for Blackstock amid his health struggles.
We were told the mom of two suddenly took time off from NBC's 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' in February and March in order to look after her ex-husband, who was also Reba McEntire's former stepson.
'It's been exhausting and so sad,' a source told us. 'Kelly has been working so hard, as well as looking after Brandon. Despite their difficult divorce, he's still the man she loved and still her kids' father.'
Blackstock's cancer battle was not known to the public until his death was announced Thursday.
Due to his struggles being kept under wraps, Clarkson's alleged 'flakiness' reportedly sparked confusion among her staffers behind-the-scenes.
'She's all in on the talk show, then she's not, then she is again. She's performing in Vegas, now she's not. It's her voice. It's personal issues,' an insider told the Daily Mail in July.
At the time, the 'Stronger' singer had canceled her shows for the opening weekend of her residency.
Originally published as Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, dead at 48 after melanoma battle
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