One of the reasons fans love Kelly Clarkson so much is for how relatable she is. So it would only be natural for the talk show host to, in some way, discuss what she’s been going through since the death of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock. The Kelly Clarkson Show Season 7 premiered recently on the 2025 TV schedule, and she revealed that Lionel Richie’s words helped her grieving process.
Lionel Richie, a current judge on American Idol, visited the very first winner of American Idol (which can be streamed with a YouTube TV subscription), where the topic of grief came up. In writing his memoir, Truly: The Official Inspirational Journey Through the Life of a Musical Legend, Richie revealed that he struggled while reliving the loss of his parents. Grief is obviously something that Kelly Clarkson has been feeling, too, since the passing of her children’s father from cancer at age 48. In reference to Richie’s book, she said:
I do think a lot of people deal with grief in such a different way, but I love that you say, ‘Grief is the great teacher of what matters most.’ And I think, no matter how you deal with grief, it is very different for everyone. But I do find that very, very true.
Brandon Blackstock by name during the conversation. Still, she asked Lionel Richie how he was able to figure that out, and the “Stuck on You” singer shared a very cerebral take:
Kelly Clarkson protected his privacy, even when his health took a turn for the worse and rumors spread about why she was missing tapings of The Kelly Clarkson Show and canceling shows on her Las Vegas residency.
It’s undoubtedly been a tough time for Kelly Clarkson, as well as for 11-year-old River Rose and 9-year-old Remy. I’m glad to hear that she was able to connect with some of Lionel Richie’s words in this time of healing for her.
Time will tell if and how Clarkson’s experience plays into the rest of the current season of The Kelly Clarkson Show, which airs weekdays. Check your local listings for time and channel.