Kelly Clarkson Shares Rare Update on How Her Kids Are Doing, 5 Months After Their Dad Brandon Blackstock’s Death

Kelly Clarkson shared a rare update about how her kids are doing, five months after the death of their dad and her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock

Blackstock died on August 7, 2025, from cancer

Clarkson and the talent manager welcomed two kids during their marriage: daughter River and son Remington “Remy”

Kelly Clarkson is opening up about how her kids are doing, five months after the death of their father and her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock.

A Mother’s Comfort

During a YouTube question-and-answer session released on the official Kelly Clarkson Show channel, Clarkson, 43, responded to a fan who asked her to share one thing she does every day that brings her joy—and the answer involved her and Blackstock’s two children: daughter River and son Remington “Remy.”

“Snuggle,” she responded. “My kids, they’re 9 and 11. Kind of that special little fun stage where they can wipe their own behinds, but they’re still small enough to, like, love cuddling and love snuggles.”

“There’s been a lot for our family recently, and so I have allowed my kids to sleep with me quite a bit,” she continued.

“It’s my two dogs, my two kids and me. It’s a lot,” she quipped. “It’s been really special, though, because… the conversations you have during that time are pretty cute. So that’s probably my favorite time of day.”

Brandon Blackstock’s Death

Blackstock’s family announced his death at age 48 on August 7, 2025. The talent manager, who was also the former stepson of Reba McEntire, was diagnosed with melanoma three years before his death.

“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” a rep for the family told PEOPLE at the time. “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.”

Blackstock also had two children from a previous marriage, Savannah and Seth, and became a grandfather in 2022 when Savannah, his eldest child, gave birth to a son, Lake.

Kelly’s Heartbreak for Her Children

An insider exclusively told PEOPLE earlier this week that Clarkson is “heartbroken” for her kids after the loss of their dad.

“Kelly is obviously heartbroken for her kids. Losing their dad is incredibly painful and confusing,” the source said. “But she’s also very grounded. She’s not someone who falls apart. She looks at life realistically and does everything she can to make things as steady and loving as possible for her kids.”

Clarkson’s “focus is to be present for her kids,” the source noted, adding, “She’s a great mom.”

A Difficult Divorce, But Protecting the Kids

Clarkson filed for divorce from Blackstock in 2020 after nearly seven years of marriage, and their split was finalized two years later. Though their divorce was acrimonious, and the two were later involved in various legal proceedings, the source said that Clarkson knew the importance of her children’s relationship with their father.

“The divorce was incredibly difficult for her—messy, painful and something she felt terrible about,” another source told PEOPLE. “But she always wanted her kids to have the best relationship possible with their dad. She never spoke poorly about Brandon to the kids.”

Navigating Grief Together

Clarkson’s approach to helping her children through this devastating loss reflects her commitment to their emotional wellbeing. By allowing them to sleep with her and creating space for open conversations during their nighttime cuddles, she’s providing the comfort and security they need during an extraordinarily difficult time.

The “special little fun stage” she mentioned—when children are old enough to be somewhat independent but still young enough to seek comfort from their parent—has taken on new significance in the wake of their father’s death. These intimate moments have become crucial for processing grief and maintaining family bonds.

Balancing Present and Past

Despite the contentious nature of their divorce and subsequent legal battles, Clarkson’s priority remained ensuring her children maintained a positive relationship with their father. This decision likely provides some comfort now, as River and Remy can remember their father without the complications of parental conflict coloring those memories.

Blackstock’s three-year battle with melanoma meant that the family had time to prepare, in some ways, for his eventual passing—though no amount of preparation can truly ready children for the loss of a parent.

Moving Forward

At 9 and 11 years old, River and Remy are at ages where they can understand the permanence of death while still needing significant parental support to process their grief. Clarkson’s grounded approach—being present, creating routine, and allowing extra closeness—provides the stability they need.

The crowded bed she described, filled with “two dogs, two kids and me,” represents more than just physical proximity. It’s a safe space where difficult conversations can happen naturally, where comfort is always available, and where the family unit remains strong despite the absence of their father.

A Mother’s Strength

Sources close to Clarkson emphasize that she’s handling this tragedy with characteristic resilience. Rather than “falling apart,” she’s channeling her energy into being the rock her children need—providing consistency, love, and the reassurance that they’re not alone in their grief.

Her willingness to share this rare update about her children offers a glimpse into how she’s navigating one of life’s most difficult challenges: helping young children cope with the death of a parent while managing her own complex emotions about losing her ex-husband.

As the family continues to heal in the months ahead, those nightly snuggles and “pretty cute” conversations will likely remain a cornerstone of their journey through grief—creating new memories and strengthening bonds during an impossibly difficult time.