Kelly Clarkson is making holiday memories with her two children, River Rose and Remington, in the wake of their father Brandon Blackstock’s untimely death.
“Ice skating at 30 Rock with the family ✅,” Clarkson, 43, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, November 30, sharing a group photo at the rink.
Clarkson, River Rose, 11, and Remington, 9, all wore puffy coats, knit hats and gloves as they went skating at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
The former American Idol winner shared her two children with ex-husband, who died earlier this year at the age of 48 after a private battle with skin cancer.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away. Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years,” a rep for his family told Us Weekly in an August statement. “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.”
Days before Blackstock’s death, Clarkson postponed the remainder of her Las Vegas residency, citing Blackstock’s illness.
“Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,” Clarkson wrote in an August 6 social media statement. “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. I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”
In addition to River and Remington, Blackstock was the father of Savannah and Seth from a previous relationship. The former track manager is also survived by his parents, siblings and grandchildren.
As Blackstock privately battled cancer, he and Clarkson turned a corner in their once-tumultuous dynamic.
“Coparenting was not easy for Kelly because she was the one who had to transport the kids, so it was really her life that was always turned upside down,” a source close to the singer exclusively told Us later in August, noting Blackstock’s diagnosis “changed their perspectives.”
“She is their [children’s] primary parent, but this was catastrophic for them,” the insider explained. “Immediately, Kelly went into mom mode and focused on the kids and how they were coping.”
Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, died at age 48 in August 2025 following a private battle with cancer. “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” a family spokesperson confirmed to Us Weekly. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years.” Their statement continued, “He passed […]
As Clarkson prioritized her kids, she took a hiatus from her Vegas concerts and her The Kelly Clarkson Show broadcasts. Clarkson resumed her duties this fall.
“It’s so great to see all of y’all again. I feel like it’s been a minute,” she said on a September episode of her eponymous show, her first back. “We’ve seen a lot in the past six years, and sometimes the world can be very heavy.”
She continued, “I’ve always said my favorite part of doing this job — and I stand by it — is finding the light and shining it on people who are really trying to make the world a better place. It sounds cheesy but it’s real. It makes you feel good. That’s exactly what we’re gonna be doing this week and all season, y’all.”
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