Kelly Clarkson was struggling to get through her residency show in the days leading up to her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock’s shocking death.<\/b>
\nKelly Clarkson was struggling to get through her residency show in the days leading up to her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock\u2019s shocking death.
The singer, 43, broke down crying during her July 26 Las Vegas Studio Session residency concert while introducing fans to an updated version of her song \u201cPiece by Piece.\u201d
\u201cCompartmentalization!\u201d Clarkson said out loud while wiping away tears and attempting to get through the track in a newly resurfaced video recorded by TikTok user @modestishottest4u.
The original lyrics were about Clarkson\u2019s estranged father and how much better a dad and partner Blackstock was.
The song was released in 2015, five years before she filed for divorce from Blackstock, who tragically died at age 48 after losing his battle to cancer last week.
\u201cI\u2019ve never rewritten a song more and I probably never will,\u201d she told the audience during the show last month. \u201cI wrote this song with a lot of hope and projection for happiness and better than what was happening. And then, well, life set in and I had to change the lyrics. Everybody was like, \u2018Wait, why aren\u2019t you singing this song?\u2019 And I was like, \u2018Have you heard the lyrics?\u2019 That\u2019s fun. Embarrassing.\u201d
Clarkson reworked the lyrics in 2023 while going through her nasty divorce battle with her late ex-husband and explained why she changed them once again.
\u201cWe did it [the song] one time, I did a residency here, and then I was like, \u2018You know what, that sounded a little angry,\u2019\u201d she said. \u201cSo I just wanted to explain how it feels now. I\u2019m 43. I\u2019ve done some therapy, and I changed the lyrics now and I think it\u2019s perfect. I promise. I\u2019m not gonna change it again.\u201d
She added, \u201cIt just represents, kind of, I don\u2019t know I feel like we grow up, right? And this is the more grown up version of it.\u201d
However, Clarkson still struggled to even start the song.
\u201cI\u2019m really trying to pull it together,\u201d the entertainer shared while turning her back to the cheering audience to collect herself.
\u201cScrew it, let\u2019s just sing it. This is \u2018Piece by Piece,\u2019\u201d she declared before belting out the verses.
Two years ago, she sang, \u201cI just walk away, when they ask for money. I take care of me \u2018cause I love me. Piece by piece I restored my faith that a heart can still beat even when it breaks,\u201d an alleged reference to all the money Blackstock requested during their legal fight.
But last month, Clarkson sang, \u201cI\u2019m learning everyday how to love me. I let go of the shame that you taught me. Piece by piece I restored the faith that a heart can still beat even if it breaks.\u201d
Just days later, on August 6, the Grammy winner abruptly canceled the month\u2019s remaining residency shows due to Blackstock\u2019s illness.
\u201cUnfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,\u201d Clarkson wrote on her Instagram, just two days before she was set to take the stage,\u201d the singer shared last week.
\u201cWhile I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children\u2019s father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them,\u201d the singer added.
\u201cI am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.\u201d
The next day, Blackstock\u2019s family revealed his death.
\u201cIt is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away. Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years,\u201d they said in a statement obtained by The Post on Thursday, August 7.
\u201cHe passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family\u2019s privacy during this very difficult time,\u201d they concluded.
Clarkson married Blackstock \u2014 her former talent manager \u2014 in 2013. She filed for divorce in 2020, with the exes fighting over custody of their two children, daughter River, 11, and son Remington \u201cRemy,\u201d 9.
The divorce was settled in 2022, with Clarkson getting primary custody of their kids and Blackstock walking away with $115,000 per month in spousal support until January 2024 and a monthly amount of $45,600 in child support.
Clarkson is said to be \u201cdevastated\u201d for the children over the loss of their father. Blackstock was also a parent to two others: daughter Savannah, 23, and son Seth, 18, from his first marriage.
\u201cWhen she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake,\u201d a source told People after his passing. \u201cKelly has always tried to keep things classy. It became clear earlier this year that Brandon was not doing well. She\u2019s been devastated for the kids.\u201d
The \u201cSince U Been Gone\u201d singer\u2019s next residency show isn\u2019t scheduled until November 7, but she won\u2019t have too much time to mourn.
Clarkson\u2019s syndicated talk show, which debuted in 2019, is set to return for its seventh season this fall, meaning she\u2019ll be filming new episodes in September, according to TMZ.<\/p>\n