Kelly Clarkson Struggles to Hold Back Tears Onstage Days Before Death of Ex-Husband Brandon Blackstock

Kelly Clarkson was visibly emotional and struggling in a video captured 12 days before her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock’s passing.

A TikTok user captured the “Stronger” artist, 43, during the July 26 show of her Las Vegas Studio Sessions residency, as she tried to hold back tears while performing a reworked version of her single “Piece by Piece.”

“Compartmentalization!” Clarkson urged herself, bouncing on her feet and wiping away tears as she fought to hold back her emotions.

The American Idol alum explained how she changed the lyrics of the angsty tune — written in the wake of her 2020 split from Blackstock — to reflect more of where she is today.

“I’ve never rewritten a song more and I probably never will,” the mother-of-two began. “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.”

Released in 2015, “Piece by Piece” is a ballad that appears to be dedicated to her estranged father, with the singer expressing how Blackstock was a more loving and supportive father and partner to her.

“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,” she told the 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.”

Clarkson and Blackstock split in 2020, with the “Stronger” artist ordered to pay her ex a hefty settlement. Clarkson initially changed the lyrics to "Piece by Piece" in 2023, seemingly referencing the messy split, “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.”

In the updated version, Clarkson sings, “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.”

Clarkson’s emotional performance took place just 12 days before Blackstock passed away from cancer on August 7. The couple shared two children together: daughter River Rose and son Remington. Blackstock was also father to daughter Savannah and son Seth from his previous relationship with Melissa Ashworth.