A fan’s recording of Kelly Clarkson tearing up on stage less than two weeks before her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock’s August 8 death has gone viral on TikTok.
The 43-year-old singer — whose future talk show plans have been revealed — was performing at her Studio Sessions residency in Las Vegas on July 26 when her eyes swelled with emotion.
The moment came as she prepared to sing the latest iteration of her 2015 song Piece by Piece.
She attempted to pull herself together as she declared, ‘Compartmentalization!’
And the mother-of-two — who shared daughter River, 11, and son Remy, nine with her ex — tearfully told fans that after changing the lyrics in the wake of her divorce in 2023, she has since reworked the song again.
The 43-year-old singer was performing at her Studio Sessions residency in Las Vegas on July 26 when her eyes swelled with emotion; pictured in January 2020
‘I’ve never rewritten a song more and I probably never will,’ she told to fans, adding, ‘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.’
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The song was initially penned with Kelly’s estranged father in mind as she sang about how Blackstock was a better father and partner.
She continued her explanation, ‘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,” 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.’
In 2023, as she and Brandon were in the throes of their divorce, Clarkson restructured the lyrics, singing, ‘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.’
And this year 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.’
The American Idol winner told her audience, ‘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.’
But she got choked up, stating, ‘I’m really trying to pull it together,’ before she eventually said, ‘Screw it, let’s just sing it. This is Piece by Piece.’
Blackstock died on August 7 at age 48 after a three-and-a-half-year battle with the skin cancer melanoma; pictured in 2013
In a statement shared online on August 6, Clarkson revealed a health-related issue with Blackstock forced her to postpone her Las Vegas residency
The fate of Kelly eponymous talk show was revealed following her ex-husband’s tragic death at age 48 from the skin cancer melanoma.
Despite the family tragedy, the Emmy-winning talk show will return for season seven in September, TMZ reported on Friday.
In addition to Kelly and their kids, the talent manager is also survived by his pregnant daughter Savannah, 23, and son Seth with ex-wife Melissa Ashworth.
A representative for the family confirmed Blackstock’s death in a statement on Thursday which read: ‘It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away.
‘Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family.
‘We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.’
The talent manager is also survived by daughter Savannah, 23, and son Seth with ex-wife Melissa Ashworth; the blended family pictured in 2019
Despite the family tragedy, Kelly’s Emmy-winning talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, will return for season seven in September; pictured in February
In a statement shared online on Wednesday, Clarkson revealed a health-related issue with Blackstock forced her to postpone her Las Vegas residency.
‘Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,’ she wrote.
‘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.
‘I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding,’ she concluded.
The Kelly Clarkson Show viewers wondered about the future of the show after the host’s various unexplained absences earlier this year.
Clarkson and Blackstock began dating in 2012 and tied the knot the following year.