We previously reported that Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband Brandon Blackstock last Thursday at the age of 48. This tragically came after a private three year battle with cancer. Now, heartbreaking footage has resurfaced showing Clarkson breaking down onstage days before Blackstock’s death.
Footage from Clarkson’s July 26 show at her Las Vegas Studio Session residency is currently going viral on TikTok. Indeed, this was just twelve days before Blackstock’s death. However, fans had no idea at the time that he was even sick, as Clarkson was adamant about protecting his privacy until the end.
Clarkson Breaks Down Onstage
In the video, Clarkson, 43, can be seen breaking down in tears multiple times as she struggled to introduce her newly reworked version of her song “Piece By Piece.”
“Compartmentalization!” Clarkson told herself as she wiped back tears.
Clarkson made a lyric change to “Piece By Piece” in the wake of her bitter divorce from Blackstock in 2020. She explained to her residency audience that she’s since changed the lyrics once again in the hopes of making it more reflective of where she is today.
“I’ve never rewritten a song more and I probably never will,” Clarkson began. “I 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, ‘Wait, why aren’t you singing this song?’ And I was like, ‘Have you heard the lyrics?’ That’s fun. Embarrassing.”
‘Piece By Piece’
Clarkson released the original version of “Piece By Piece” back in 2015. At the time, the song was a message to Clarkson’s estranged father about how Blackstock outperformed him as a father when it came to their own children. After their divorce got nasty years later, however, Clarkson felt the need to change the lyrics.
“I ended up changing the lyrics. We did it one time, I did a residency here, and then I was like, ‘You know what, that sounded a little angry,’” she confessed. “So I just wanted to explain how it feels now. I’m 43. I’ve done some therapy, and I changed the lyrics now and I think it’s perfect. I promise. I’m not gonna change it again.”
As for why she decided to change the lyrics, Clarkson explained, “It just represents, kind of, I don’t know I feel like we grow up, right? And this is the more grown up version of it.”
Clarkson tried to go on, but she couldn’t help but get emotional once again.
“I’m really trying to pull it together,” Clarkson lamented. Pulling it together, she then said, “Screw it, let’s just sing it. This is ‘Piece by Piece.’”
Check out the emotional introduction and performance in the video below.
Backstory: Kelly Clarkson’s Ex-Husband Brandon Blackstock Dead At 48 After Cancer Battle
Clarkson Changes ‘Piece By Piece’ Lyrics
When Clarkson changed the lyrics in 2023, she sang, “I just walk away, when they ask for money. I take care of me ‘cause I love me. Piece by piece I restored my faith that a heart can still beat even when it breaks.”
This was a clear reference to the financial requests that Blackstock made throughout their bitter divorce, which stretched out for years.
In the new version that Clarkson performed last month, she sang, “I’m 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.”
Clarkson kept Blackstock’s health battle private until last Wednesday, August 6. It was then that she announced that she had to postpone the rest of the August shows of her Las Vegas residency.
“Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,” Clarkson said in a statement shared to social media.
“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,” the original American Idol winner added. “I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”
Related: Sad Details Emerge About Kelly Clarkson’s Ex-Husband’s Death After He Passes Away At 48
Blackstock Passes Away
Blackstock died in hospice care the next day on the morning of August 7. He shared two children with Clarkson: daughter River, 11, and son Remington, 9. An insider told People Magazine that Clarkson has been left “devastated” for her kids in the wake of them losing their father.
“When she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake,” the source stated. “Kelly has always tried to keep things classy. It became clear earlier this year that Brandon was not doing well. She’s been devastated for the kids.”
Blackstock also leaves behind two adult children from a previous marriage. Please join us in saying a prayer for Clarkson, her children, and for all of Blackstock’s other loved ones during this incredibly tragic time.
Rest in peace, Brandon Blackstock.