Kelly Clarkson recently gave a rare and very personal update on how her children are doing months after the death of their father, her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock. In a moving moment during a fan Q&A session, the singer and television host spoke candidly about her daily life with her two children – and how they are finding comfort and togetherness as a family after a time of loss and change.
Clarkson, 43, revealed that some of her happiest moments currently come from simple rituals with her 11-year-old daughter River and her 9-year-old son Remington “Remy.” The children, she said, often sleep next to her—along with the family dogs—and these quiet nights together have become a source of joy and connection as they process their grief. The evenings spent together with her children, the conversations and the laughter, are among her favorite moments of the day, she explained.
River and Remy are at a transitional age where they are independent in many ways, yet still young enough to enjoy cuddles and closeness. Clarkson described how special these evening moments of warmth and genuine connection are for her. In fact, she said that cuddling with her children is among her favorite parts of the day, especially after the difficult events the family has gone through in recent months.
The update comes five months after the tragic death of Brandon Blackstock, who passed away in August 2025 at the age of 48 after a three-year battle with melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. Blackstock, a talent manager and father of Clarkson’s children, was also the former stepson of country star Reba McEntire. His death was announced by his family, who stated that he had passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones after a courageous fight against cancer.
Clarkson and Blackstock married in 2013 and have two children together. After their divorce in 2022, the couple made an effort to maintain a positive co-parenting relationship for the benefit of River and Remy. Despite the legal and emotional strain of the divorce, Clarkson never spoke ill of her ex-husband in front of her children, knowing how important it was to maintain a relationship with their father.
Blackstock’s illness and death were a devastating blow to the family. In his final days, Clarkson decided to pause her Las Vegas concert tour to be fully present for her children during this difficult time. She suspended her scheduled performances, canceled some engagements, and focused entirely on being there for her family as Blackstock’s health deteriorated. Following his death, she spoke publicly about the pain of her loss and expressed her sympathy and gratitude to her fans for their support and understanding.
In the months that followed, Clarkson continued to prioritize her children’s emotional well-being. The children—River is now 11 and Remy 9—are at different developmental stages, but both find comfort in consistent routines, family outings, and their mother’s love and stability. Clarkson’s willingness to let her children sleep in her bed allows them meaningful conversations and moments of closeness where they feel safe and secure.
