Kelly Clarkson Feels Guilty About Brandon Blackstock’s Death, Worried Divorce Stress Impacted Health: Report

Kelly Clarkson is grappling with intense guilt following her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock‘s death and questioning whether their contentious divorce contributed to his health woes, according to a new report.

Blackstock, 48, died earlier this month after a private three-year fight with melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. Sources told the Daily Mail that the former American Idol winner, 43, can’t shake the feeling that their legal battle may have contributed to his untimely death.

“Kelly is aware of talk that stress can impact the body and make someone more susceptible to cancer,” an insider revealed. “Although the timing could be purely coincidental, she knows how much tension the divorce and lawsuits put on them.”

The source emphasized that while Clarkson “doesn’t blame herself,” she’s “conscious that the double whammy of the divorce and the fact that he had to repay her millions of dollars was very tough on him.”

Their marriage imploded in 2020, leading to an 18-month legal nightmare. Clarkson secured primary custody of their kids River, 11, and Remington, 9, but paid out millions in spousal and child support. Blackstock was also ordered to return $2.6 million after allegedly overcharging her as her manager.

A second source told the Daily Mail that the stress factor “does cross her mind” and makes her wonder if she “could have done more.”

“Now that he is gone, she doesn’t feel great,” adds the source. “But being there for her kids is helping her to cope with the onslaught of emotions.”