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Sky News AU
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Why Kelly Clarkson couldn't give up on ex-husband Brandon Blackstock during his fatal illness — despite their painful divorce battle
Kelly Clarkson has never been one to hide her emotions. As the star performed her hit 'Piece by Piece' — written about the love she once had with her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock — during her Las Vegas show last weekend, she was fighting back tears, according to audience members. It was made abundantly clear why when Clarkson canceled the rest of her August dates for her 'Studio Sessions' residency on Wednesday night, revealing that Blackstock, with whom she shared two young children, was sick. Still, it was a shock when he died just hours later, after a three-year battle with skin cancer. Multiple sources told Page Six how Clarkson has struggled this past year with the prospect of losing the man she once truly loved — and with becoming a single mom. She has had to face all of this with a heavy workload. Clarkson is scheduled to return for the seventh season of NBC's 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' next month and has signed on as a returning coach on the upcoming season of 'The Voice.' She is believed to have already filmed audition segments for 'The Voice,' but could bow out of the live shows, said industry insiders. 'They cannot force her,' said one source. We have reached out to Clarkson's rep and NBC for comment. Clarkson, 43, has spoken openly in the past about how Blackstock, who was also her former manager, changed her life. Back in 2015, she released the emotional song 'Piece by Piece' — which was inspired both by her father, Stephen Clarkson, leaving their family when she was a small child, and by her romance with Blackstock. 'He never walks away / He never asks for money / He takes care of me / He loves me / Piece by piece, he restored my faith / That a man can be kind and a father could stay,' she sang of her then-husband. 'She had to muster the energy to sing 'Piece by Piece' without crying,' audience member Lois Rodriguez wrote on Instagram of Clarkson's recent Vegas performance, 'I think I understand why now. Unlike her father, though, her children's father was leaving them in his death. She knew it was inevitable, which might explain the tears.' Making it even more gut-wrenching, as Rodriguz wrote: 'Her kids were there with her, adorable as ever.' Blackstock, 48, had battled melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, before his death in the early hours of Thursday morning. Despite a contentious divorce that Clarkson has not shied away from publicly discussing, she helped care for him during this final, painful year. Indeed, Blackstock's illness was the reason for Clarkson taking time off from her hit NBC talk show back in March. She missed 10 consecutive tapings of 'The Kelly Clarkson Show,' citing 'personal reasons,' while celebrity pals including Andy Cohen and Brooke Shields stepped in for her. Hollywood star Simu Liu admitted he was told he was taking over temporary hosting duties with just five minutes to spare after arriving on set to promote his movie, 'Last Breath' The singer also missed her show on April 21. But she stayed mum on why, mainly to protect the children her daughter, River, 11, and son, Remington, 9. As rumors abounded about Blackstock's health, people around Clarkson rallied to keep things private, branding the gossip 'disgusting' and 'hurtful.' 'Kelly's personal life is so insanely complicated,' a source who has worked with her told us this week. 'The divorce was beyond toxic and the continuing relationship with Brandon was not good — it was incredibly tense and fraught, and co-parenting with him was not at all easy.' Clarkson and Blackstock — who was the former stepson of country star Reba McEntire — first crossed paths during a rehearsal for the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2006. 'My guitar player's wife Ashley was my date for that night and we had just both been in crap relationships,' Clarkson shared in 2017. 'Sometimes it sucks dating because it's so many wrong ones until you get the right one.' Then, Clarkson spotted Blackstock, saying, 'And he walked by, I was ready to take it all off. I just felt something.' At the time, Blackstock was still married to Melissa Ashworth, with whom he shared daughter Savannah, 23, and son Seth, 18. They divorced in 2012 and, when he and Clarkson met again, things happened fast. The two were engaged in December 2012. 'I've only had three other boyfriends that I dated, and not really seriously,' Clarkson admitted to People in 2013. 'This guy walks by [at the 2006 ACMs], making everybody laugh. I said, 'I'm gonna end up with him. I know it.'' They tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at posh Blackberry Farms near Knoxville, Tennessee, on October 20, 2013. Blackstock took over as his wife's manager in 2017, and as Page Six previously reported, masterminded her multi-million TV deal with NBC. The star was paid in the range of $10 million per season as a coach on 'The Voice,' we're told, and is believed to get even more for hosting her show — a deal also brokered by Blackstock. 'The irony is that he's had a very positive influence on her life; he made these phenomenal deals for her, and she wouldn't be here without him. But it's hard to be a manager and a husband,' an industry insider told us, 'At the time, she greatly appreciated what he had done for her career.' It was Clarkson who filed for divorce on June 4, 2020, after almost seven years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. According to court documents, 'the level of conflict between the parents [had] increased' and that they had 'a difficult time co-parenting due to issues of trust between them.' 'Everything between Kelly and Brandon was stressful and intense and, like, one match away from a powder keg going off when it came to those ongoing negotiations,' said the source. 'And trying to keep the kids stable in the midst of all that is just hugely exhausting and draining.' One month after the court's decision, Clarkson alleged that Blackstock acted fraudulently as her manager. He denied defrauding his estranged wife out of millions. Their divorce was finalized in March 2022. According to court documents, Clarkson was ordered to pay her ex a one-time payment of $1,326,161, as well as monthly payments of $115,000 in spousal support until January 31, 2024, plus $45,601 monthly in child support. Clarkson was granted primary physical custody of her kids, while they shared joint legal custody. But when the chips were down, Clarkson was by Blackstock's side. Talking about his illness, another source previously told us a few months ago, 'Kelly is fighting some serious hidden battles that very few people are privy to.' Last month, the singer canceled the opening night of her Vegas residency with just 90 minutes to spare, devastating fans. While Blackstock's health may have been an issue Clarkson also cited problems with her voice, and a Vegas source told us, 'Kelly is incapable of singing a song halfway. She belts out every single note. She's an incredibly powerful singer but it takes its toll on her vocal cords and she's coming incredibly close to needing surgery before. She cannot risk damaging her chords further— she's on thin ice.' The 2002 'American Idol' winner is set to return to Vegas in November, according to her website. As we previously revealed, she has long been planning to focus on her kids and her music — and will likely leave her NBC show when her contract expires next year. She had moved to NYC with her kids in 2023 for the show, but it's expected she won't stay in the city. NBC chiefs remain huge fans of Clarkson's, however, and would love her to stay at the network in some capacity — including taping specials such as her annual holiday shows. Blackstock, who resided in Butte, Mont., after moving out of the family's original Montana ranch, was set to become a grandfather again — his daughter from his first marriage, Savannah, 23, recently announced she is expecting a baby girl early next year. Savannah, who posted a photo with her dad online just weeks before his death, is already mom to son Lake, 2, with husband Quentin Lee, with whom she works in real estate in Ocala, Florida. 'I am devastated for Kelly and the kids,' said a friend. 'I know that her entire focus will now be on the children, they're her world.' Originally published as Why Kelly Clarkson couldn't give up on ex-husband Brandon Blackstock during his fatal illness — despite their painful divorce battle
Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Kelly Clarkson postpones Vegas shows to be ‘present' for kids while ex Brandon Blackstock is sick
Kelly Clarkson is hitting pause on her Studio Sessions residency in Las Vegas, postponing the remaining four shows scheduled for August to attend to her family's needs. '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 wrote Wednesday on Instagram, referring to ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, whom she split from in 2020 after seven years of marriage. Their divorce was finalized in 2022. 'I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding,' the 'Since U Been Gone' singer continued. The cancellation came about 48 hours before she was to take the stage. Clarkson had planned to perform Friday and Saturday and again on Aug. 15 and Aug. 16, so the response wasn't all grace and kindness. Some fans complained in comments and elsewhere online about nonrefundable travel expenses they had incurred. Others, however, praised the singer for having her priorities in order. The residency is scheduled to pick up again in September when the 'American Idol' alumna has four shows on the calendar. It's unclear when Clarkson will make up the four shows, which she said were being postponed, not canceled. The 18-show residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace was announced in February and kicked off on the Fourth of July. Clarkson, who shares a boy and a girl with Blackstock, was absent from her talk show without explanation in early March, when guest Simu Liu suddenly found himself in charge of asking the questions instead of answering them. 'Kelly isn't able to make it today. We're sending her our very best,' Liu told the audience March 3 after the host abruptly left 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' a few minutes before cameras started rolling. 'I did not know that I was doing this until about five minutes ago when I arrived to promote my new movie 'Last Breath.'' A source told TMZ at the time that Clarkson was handling 'a personal matter that does not directly involve her.' She returned to the show a little more than two weeks later, on March 20, when she marked the series' 1,000th episode. She did not say where she had been or why. 'For 1,000 episodes, we have laughed together, we have cried together, sang together, danced together, celebrated and competed together,' she told that audience. 'I've lost alone a lot.' After adding, 'It's OK,' she went on to thank and congratulate her crew. Clarkson reportedly agreed to pay $45,000 a month in child support to Blackstock as well as a $1.3-million lump sum to settle their divorce in 2022. The two would go on to settle dueling lawsuits in 2024 after a California labor official determined in 2023 that Blackstock had not legally earned more than $2.6 million in commissions from the singer when they were married and he was acting as her manager but not her agent. In a 2023 interview with Zane Lowe, Clarkson got 'brutally honest' about her breakup, saying she 'did not handle it well.' Therapy was helpful during the divorce and she found comfort in crying sessions with friends, she said. In processing her separation from Blackstock, she said, she learned to be more outspoken and selective about the people with whom she chooses to share her life. 'Not everyone,' she said, 'is deserving of your story or worth it or worth your time.' Times staff writer Alexandra Del Rosario contributed to this report.
Tom's Guide
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
When is 'The Phoenician Scheme' coming to streaming? Here's our best guess
Director Wes Anderson's latest movie is "The Phoenician Scheme," a dark comedy about wealthy international businessman Zsa-Zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro). Having narrowly dodged an assassination attempt, Korda appoints his daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton) sole heir to his estate and embarks on a new enterprise, which puts them in the crosshairs of more dangerous foes. Anderson's summer movie is composed as precisely as ever, and was reasonably well-received by plenty of critics and moviegoers. At the time of writing, it's Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 78% critics' rating and a slightly lower score (71%) from fans. In general, the consensus seems to be that "The Phoenician Scheme" is a typically stylish feature from the director, but it also isn't quite doing enough to stand alongside some of Anderson's absolute best movies. The movie first hit theaters at the end of May (with a nationwide release following one week later, on June 6), so we haven't gotten a confirmed streaming release date for "The Phoenician Scheme" just yet. Nevertheless, if you've decided not to see it in theaters and are waiting to watch it at home, here's our best guess at a potential "The Phoenician Scheme" streaming date. At the time of writing, the only way to watch "The Phoenician Scheme" is by seeing it in your local movie theater. Seeing as it only hit theaters at the end of May, that's probably going to be the only way to watch it for a little while yet, too. Plus, it won't come to streaming services straightaway, either; it'll first head to premium video-on-demand (PVOD) storefronts like Amazon. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Nevertheless, since the movie was distributed in the U.S. by Focus Features (a Universal subsidiary), we can at least expect "The Phoenician Scheme" to make its streaming debut on Peacock. It's important to bear in mind that we don't yet have a confirmed "The Phoenician Scheme" streaming date. However, looking back at how long it's usually taken Focus Features' other releases to arrive on streaming, I'd wager "The Phoenician Scheme" could come to Peacock in mid to late July 2025. That's based on the fact that we typically wait between six to eight weeks for Focus Features films to start streaming. For example, "Black Bag" arrived on Peacock on May 2, seven weeks after it hit theaters, while survival thriller "Last Breath" came to the streamer on April 25, eight weeks after its February 28 theatrical debut. However, if "The Phoenician Scheme" instead follows the release pattern of the acclaimed comedy-drama "The Ballad of Wallis Island," we might have to wait a bit longer for a streaming date. Tom Basden's endearing watch just hit the streamer on June 6, 10 weeks after its limited theatrical release on March 28. As soon as we get an official update (or a confirmed streaming date for "The Phoenician Scheme"), we'll be sure to share it here, so keep checking back.
Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
What to watch on OTT: Good Boy, Criminal Justice 4, KanKhujura
Last Breath (Lionsgate Play) Following an undersea accident that traps one of their crew members, the story follows a group of skilled deep-sea divers in a desperate attempt to rescue the victim. The film stars Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, and Finn Cole among others. One of them Days (Netflix) The series is about two friends Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) embark on a frentic race across LA to find enough cash to avoid eviction. KanKhujura (SonyLIV) Roshan Mathew, Mohit Raina, Mahesh Shetty, Sarah Jane Dias starrer psychological thriller is a story about trauma, obsession, and how the past metastasises into something unrecognisable. Good Boy (Prime Video) This South Korean drama is about a special task force of former national athletes who are recruited to handle major crimes. These athletes, once celebrated for their medals, now face new challenges and reunite to put their skills to use. Andhar Maya (Zee5) The series follows the Khatu family as they return to their ancestral home in the Konkan region to perform a final ritual. This Marathi horror web series features Kishor Kadam, Rutuja Bagwe and Shubhankar Tawde.
Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
What to watch on OTT: Criminal Justice 4, Korean action comedy Good Boy
What to watch on OTT: New season of Criminal Justice, powered by Pankaj Tripathi to Korean action comedy Good Boy, here's what you can watch on OTT this week. Criminal Justice S4 JioHotstar In the new season, Madhav Mishra (Pankaj Tripathi) navigates one of his most complex cases yet — a love affair culminating in a murder. As hidden truths unravel in a charged courtroom battle, Madhav must once again balance wit, empathy, and strategy to uncover the truth. This time, he finds himself up against not one, but two sharp and determined lawyers. Directed by Rohan Sippy and produced by Sameer Nair, the cast of Season 4 features a strong ensemble including Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Surveen Chawla, Asha Negi, Khushboo Atre, Mita Vashisht, and Shweta Basu Prasad. One of them Days Netflix Scrambling to repay their stolen rent money, best friends Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) embark on a frantic race across LA to find enough cash to avoid eviction. Grammy–winning singer SZA makes her film debut opposite Palmer in this comedy about two friends doing whatever it takes to secure $1,500. Produced by Insecure star and co-creator Issa Rae, One of Them Days also features Vanessa Bell Calloway, Lil Rel Howery, Katt Williams, and Maude Apatow. The film is directed by Lawrence Lamont and written by Syreeta Singleton. Last Breath Lionsgate Play Based on a true story, Last Breath chronicles the perilous mission of deep-sea divers battling unforgiving waters to rescue a trapped crewmate hundreds of feet below the ocean's surface. Directed by Alex Parkinson, the film stars Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, and Finn Cole among others. The cast brings raw urgency and grit to this high-stakes survival saga. Andhar Maya Zee5 Tucked away in the misty, dark, haunted and the eerie sounds of the Konkan, a once-proud ancestral wada draws the Khatu family back for a final ritual—but the house has its own plans. Long-buried family secrets claw their way to the surface and strange things begin to appear to the forefront. As shadows stir and the past claws its way into the present, a string of eerie events unravels their reality. Directed by Bhimrao Mude, the Marathi show, written by Kapil Bhopatkar, features Kishor Kadam, Rutuja Bagwe and Shubhankar Tawde in the cast. Good Boy Prime Video A rag-tag team of medalists-turned-police officers who form a team to take down the forces behind a crime group. Yun Dong-ju (Park Bo-gum), once a gold medalist in boxing, gets demoted after a scuffle with corrupt colleagues. While investigating a suspicious hit-and-run case that his friend becomes entangled in, he comes across officers Han-na (Kim So-hyun) and Jong-hyeon (Lee Sang-yi), who are investigating the same case. As a result, a special team consisting of five former athletes, who are current police officers, is formed. The team begin a challenging fight against dark forces in their city.
