“American Idol” winner and “The Voice” alum Kelly Clarkson announced on August 6 that she would be stepping away from her Las Vegas residency to focus on her children, daughter River Rose, and son, Remington Alexander, because her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, was “ill.”
On August 7, it was announced that Blackstock had died and had been diagnosed with cancer over three years earlier. He was 48.
The former couple were working hard to coparent following their divorce, which Clarkson filed for in June 2020. They may not have split on the most amicable terms, but their relationship started as one that was filled with love. These are some of the most beautiful and eye-opening things that Clarkson has said about Blackstock.
Kelly Clarkson’s Best Quotes on Brandon Blackstock
Clarkson and Blackstock first met at a rehearsal for the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2006. Although their relationship did not start until years later, Clarkson admitted she was instantly drawn to Blackstock.
“I’ve only had three other boyfriends that I dated, and not really seriously,” Clarkson told People in 2013. “This guy walks by, making everybody laugh. I said, ‘I’m gonna end up with him. I know it.’”
The couple started dating in late 2011 and got engaged in December 2012, and Clarkson was so happy! She shared the news on X, formerly Twitter. “I’m engaged!” she wrote, the New York Post reports. “I wanted y’all to know! Happiest night of my life last night! I am so lucky and am with the greatest man ever.”
In March 2012, the “Because Of You” singer told Us Weekly of her happiness with Blackstock. “I’m too happy. He’s ruining my creativity,” she said. “I’m writing all this happy (expletive). It’s killing me.”
In October 2013, the couple got married.
They Put Their Relationship First
Clarkson discussed her relationship with Blackstock in several interviews, giving insight into their coupling and her happiness. “We put each other first. I call it the oxygen-mask mentality — take care of yourself first!” she told Redbook magazine in April 2015.
In a 2017 appearance on SiriusXM, Clarkson reflected on her meeting with Blackstock again and how she knew she wanted to date him.
“We didn’t even know each other, but he had walked past me once, and there was a moment in my crazy head. He thought I hated him, too. When I finally confessed that, ‘I really dig you,’ he was so shocked because he thought I hated him,” she said on SiriusXM, People reports. “I hadn’t let on that I liked him. Inside I was like, ‘Ask me out!’ but outside I was like, ‘I love being single and coming home every night alone. It’s awesome.’ “
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Beautiful Things Kelly Clarkson Said About Brandon Blackstock Before His Passing