How Kelly Clarkson's Kids Are Coping After The Death Of Brandon Blackstock

Sadly, Kelly Clarkson's adorable children River Blackstock (born in 2014) and Remington Blackstock (born in 2016) have endured more than their fair share of tragedy — most notably, the untimely death of their dad. Brandon Blackstock died aged 48 in August 2025 after being diagnosed with cancer. A death certificate obtained by People confirmed Brandon was diagnosed three years earlier and had experienced seizures. It's not clear exactly how aware of their dad's illness River and Remington were, but Clarkson confirmed tragic news about Brandon's health just days before his death when she announced she was pushing back her Las Vegas residency shows. "This past year, my children's father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them," she wrote on Instagram, which suggests River and Remington knew their dad wasn't doing well.

The month after Brandon's passing, Reba McEntire (Brandon's former stepmom) spoke to Entertainment Tonight about how the family was holding up. "The kids are doing well," she said. "They're all bonding together and hanging out with each other and taking it one day at a time. We know God's got this." McEntire was likely also talking about Blackstock's other two children, Savannah Blackstock and Seth Blackstock, who he shared with his first wife Melissa Ashworth, as well as his grandchild. Savannah announced life-changing news shortly before her dad died, confirming she was expecting her second child.

A source told Page Six after Brandon's death that Clarkson ensured their kids still had a relationship with him, despite Clarkson and Brandon being locked in a nasty legal battle. "Kelly's biggest fear during the divorce was that her kids would grow up feeling distant from their father. She always wanted to spare them that. She's devastated for them ..." they shared.

Prior to Brandon Blackstock's passing, Kelly Clarkson admitted River Blackstock and Remington Blackstock found their divorce tough. Speaking on "The Angie Martinez IRL Podcast" in 2023, "The Voice" coach revealed she would ask them how they were every day, but, sadly, didn't always get the response she was hoping for. "...A lot of times it would be like, 'I'm just really sad. I wish mommy and daddy were in the same house. I wish.' And they're just really honest about it," she shared. "...I just sit there and I'm like, 'I get it. I'm from a divorced family as well, I get it. That sucks. But we're going to work it out. And you are so loved by both of us.'" That same year, Clarkson shared another tragic tidbit on the "We Can Do Hard Things" podcast. "My kids just came back from my ex and any time there's mention of maybe him being with somebody else, they are just really adamant about keeping that dream alive that we might still be together one day. Still," the "American Idol" winner shared.

Heartbreakingly, River's difficulties don't just involve family issues. On "The Kelly Clarkson Show" in 2023, the "Since U Been Gone" singer shared her daughter had been diagnosed with dyslexia and had a tough time at school. "She was getting bullied at school for not being able to read like all the other kids," Clarkson shared. But while River and Remington haven't had things easy, with a mom as loving and dedicated as Clarkson (whose dealt with some tragedies of her own), we have no doubt they'll always get any help they may need.