After privately battling cancer for three years, Kelly Clarkson‘s ex-husband and former manager Brandon Blackstock died on August 7. Despite their divorce being finalized in 2022 after a tumultuous and public legal battle, Clarkson abruptly paused her Vegas Studio Sessions residency amid his finals days to be there for him and the two small children they share River, 11, and Remington, 9.
However, days before went to support her family, she performed some of her most beloved and iconic hits for the crowd. As the writer for most of her music many of her lyrics are deeply personal, and fans noticed Clarkson getting particularly emotional during her performance of “Tightrope” off her seventh studio album Piece by Piece.
@kc_highroad One of my favorite songs of hers🥺 Cred: crashpixie #kellyclarkson #fyp #singer
♬ original sound – Kate 🏔️
The lyrics include heartbreaking lines like “You’re on the tightrope/ I’ve got my reasons/How did we get so tangled?/You turn I stay straight/I bend as you break…” and ultimately convey going through an emotional turmoil with someone. Fans say in hindsight, the pain was evident on her face.
“She was grieving from within knowing of his battle with cancer. Protected his privacy and their kids,” one fan empathized.
“Now hearing what she’s been going though this year and postponing her concerts makes this and every other time she been emotional like this even more sad,” added another.
“You got this Kelly! God give her strength for the coming days and months,” wished another.
Right now, Clarkson is likely focusing her energy on supporting their children. In 2023 the singer opened up on Angie Martinez‘s IRL podcast about co-parenting with Blackstock and navigating post-divorce life.
Related: Kelly Clarkson Once Said: ‘Brandon Blackstock Is Totally the One’
“I ask my kids every night when we’re snuggling and I put them to bed, ‘Are you happy? And if you’re not, what could make you happier?’ ” Clarkson said. “Especially the past two years … it kills me [but] I want them to be honest so I don’t ever say, ‘Oh God, don’t tell me that,’ but a lot of times it would be like, ‘I’m just really sad. I wish Mommy and Daddy were in the same house.’ They’re really honest about it. I’m raising that kind of individual.”
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