Kelly Clarkson Broke Down in Tears at Las Vegas Show 2 Weeks Before Ex Brandon Blackstock’s Death

Kelly Clarkson wasn’t afraid to let fans see her true emotions in the weeks leading up to ex-husband Brandon Blackstock’s death.

While introducing an updated version of “Piece by Piece” at her July 26 show in Las Vegas, she explained that she’s “never rewritten a song more” times than that one.

“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,” she explained in a TikTok posted by a fan. “So I just wanted to explain how it feels now… 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.”

The “Since U Been Gone” singer, 43, fought back tears as she admitted that she was struggling to “pull it together.”

“Screw it, let’s just sing it,” she finally told the crowd. “This is ‘Piece by Piece.’”

As Star previously reported, Clarkson’s ex-husband – who she shares kids River, 11, and Remington, 9, with – passed away on August 7 following a more than three-year battle with cancer. He was 48.

The “Stronger” artist, who divorced Blackstock in 2022 after a messy separation, chose to postpone the remainder of her August shows for the Studio Sessions residency so that she could be “fully present” for their children in this difficult time.

Despite Clarkson and Blackstock’s tumultuous split in 2020, a source said the American Idol alum “always wanted her kids to have the best relationship possible” with their dad.

“When she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake,” the source told People earlier this month. “It became clear earlier this year that Brandon was not doing well. She’s been devastated for the kids.”