Brandon Blackstock’s Health Crisis Forces Kelly Clarkson Off Stage and TV

Fans of The Kelly Clarkson Show were left wondering about Kelly Clarkson’s unexpected absence from her popular daytime program earlier this year.

Multiple sources have now confirmed to PEOPLE that the Grammy-winning singer and talk show host, 43, took a step back from her professional commitments primarily due to health concerns affecting her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock.

According to insiders, Clarkson missed several tapings of her namesake talk show to focus on their children — daughter River Rose, 11, and son Remington Alexander, 9 — while Blackstock faced a serious illness. The situation prompted Clarkson to rearrange her entire work schedule, demonstrating her commitment to her family during a difficult time.

On August 6, Clarkson addressed her fans directly, announcing the postponement of her highly anticipated Las Vegas residency dates at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

In a candid Instagram post, she explained, “Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas. 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.”

Clarkson apologized to ticket holders, thanking them for their “grace, kindness, and understanding.”

This was not the first time Clarkson had to reschedule her residency shows. Earlier in July, she was forced to delay the opening performances to protect her vocal health.

“The prep and rehearsals have taken a toll on my voice. I want the shows to be perfect for y’all and I need to protect myself from doing serious damage so I am taking this weekend and next week to rest up so that we can deliver what you all deserve,” she wrote in a separate statement.

Clarkson’s absence from her talk show first became apparent to viewers on March 3, when actor Simu Liu — who had previously filled in for Clarkson in 2022—unexpectedly stepped in as guest host.

“Kelly isn't able to make it today. We're sending her our very best,” Liu told the audience. He admitted he had only learned of the last-minute hosting change minutes before showtime.

Over the following weeks, several other high-profile guest hosts—including Roy Wood Jr., Wanda Sykes, Josh Groban, and Brooke Shields — took the reins, each noting Clarkson’s absence and expressing their support. Shields, in particular, expressed gratitude at being asked to fill in, telling viewers it was "so nice" to be hosting again.

Clarkson ultimately returned to The Kelly Clarkson Show on March 20, marking her comeback with the program’s 1,000th episode.

The celebratory broadcast featured appearances from Tyler Perry, Alicia Vikander, and the Venezuelan duo Mau y Ricky.

After making her announcement, rescheduled dates for Clarkson’s Las Vegas residency were released, moving the performances to July and August 2026. However, her NBC series Songs and Stories with Kelly Clarkson will premiere as planned on August 19.

Despite these personal and professional adjustments, sources say production for both The Voice and the upcoming season of The Kelly Clarkson Show will not be affected by her revised concert calendar.

Clarkson and Blackstock were married for seven years before their separation in June 2020. The couple’s divorce, finalized two years later, was described by Clarkson as “extraordinarily hard.”

In a January 2024 interview with PEOPLE, she shared, “You feel alone, and it’s just a blessing to be able to have that outlet for those emotions that are overwhelming,” referencing her album Chemistry, which reflects her experience.