Kelly Clarkson has broken her social media silence nearly one month after the death of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock.
The “Because of You” singer marked the anniversary of her 2002 “American Idol” win with a commemorative post on Thursday via Instagram, sharing a throwback photo from the Season 1 finale episode.
“To everyone that took time 23 years ago to call in and vote for me, thank you 🙏 Winning ‘American Idol’ changed my life and I will be forever grateful for all of you that have supported me for so many years,” she captioned the post.
“It is a gift to find your purpose and passion, and to be able to make a living doing it is the cherry on top. Thank you, always.”
The Instagram post comes just over a week after Clarkson, 43, surfaced for the first time at LAX following the former talent manager’s death last month.
Blackstock — who shared daughter River, 11, and son Remington, 9, with Clarkson — died on Aug. 7 after a years-long private battle with cancer. He was 48.
The day prior, Clarkson announced via Instagram that she had canceled the remainder of her August Las Vegas shows to “be fully present” for her family amid Blackstock’s illness.
“I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding,” she wrote to her fans.
The exes previously settled their contentious divorce in 2022 after years of battling it out in court. Though, the “Stronger” hitmaker spent much of her time helping to care for Blackstock in the months leading up to his death, sources previously told Page Six.
In addition to canceling the opening of her Las Vegas residency in July, she also shocked fans when she abruptly stepped away from her eponymous talk show in March — which insiders told us was to look after her ailing ex.
“It’s been exhausting and so sad,” a source said at the time. “Kelly has been working so hard, as well as looking after Brandon. Despite their difficult divorce, he’s still the man she loved and still her kids’ father.”
Blackstock appeared to have moved on from the singer with her former assistant Brittney Marie Jones, who was listed in Blackstock’s obituary as his “beautiful and loving partner in life and business.”
But, the show will be going on for Clarkson who is expected to make her return to her daytime talk show later this month.
The seventh season of the “American Idol” alum’s show will premiere on Sept. 29 — with Clarkson back as host of the new episodes.
Production on the season will begin the week of Sept. 8. Her Vegas residency is expected to resume in November.
