Kelly Clarkson’s returns to talk show after ex-husband’s death

Kelly Clarkson is back on air following the death of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock.

The “Stronger” singer, 43, kicked off Season 7 of “The Kelly Clarkson Show” on Monday, less than two months after Blackstock passed away from melanoma on Aug. 7.

Clarkson, however, didn’t mention her ex’s death during the talk show’s “emotional” season premiere.

Instead, the program featured an interview with Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell about their new movie, “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey,” as well as a segment about the devastating floods in the Texas Hill Country back in July.

The floods, which started on July 4 and ravaged the Texas region for several hours, left at least 135 people, including children, dead.

Clarkson, dressed in all black, welcomed many of the heroes who helped save countless lives during the tragic event onto her show, and she and the audience members were left fighting back tears as the guests shared their stories.

The program’s music director, Jason Halbert, told USA Today that the Season 7 premiere was “emotional for all of us.”

“I don’t know how [Clarkson] compartmentalizes watching that segment, super emotional, and then jumping into, like, making crafts with kids, and then jumping into emoting a song,” he said of the episode’s taping.

Halbert added that viewers can expect Clarkson to explore her emotions via the songs featured in her popular “Kellyoke” segment, which she uses to kick-start every show.

The three-time Grammy winner opened Monday’s episode with a cover of The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights.”

“A lot happened for us all in the last year, on personal and career levels,” Halbert shared. “You’re going to see some songs reflect things that maybe she wouldn’t talk about verbally in a sitting on the couch interview.”

Showrunner Alex Duda clarified that segments such as the one about the Texas floods are not about the devastation of the event but rather how “communities can come together and try to rebuild” after the tragedy.

“That’s what we’ve done since the beginning. When the world is dark or heavy, look for the light,” she explained. “We wanted to reaffirm that in our premiere this year.”

Clarkson, meanwhile, shared a behind-the-scenes look inside the Season 7 premiere of “The Kelly Clarkson Show” on Instagram shortly after it aired.

The nearly 30-second clip featured the beloved host, her audience members, and her band inside Studio 6A at 30 Rockefeller Plaza amid the exciting return.

“Happy Season 7 Premiere Day,” the “Since U Been Gone” hitmaker wrote alongside a celebration emoji.

Clarkson sparked concerns earlier this year when she missed several episodes of the syndicated NBC talk show.

After the singer-songwriter’s celebrity friends stepped in to help host “The Kelly Clarkson Show” amid her absence, it was revealed that Clarkson was dealing with a personal matter.

Clarkson was later forced to postpone the remaining shows of her Las Vegas residency, citing her ex’s ill health. Blackstock’s death was announced just hours later.

It was then revealed that the “American Idol” alum had been taking care of Blackstock amid his skin cancer battle.

“It’s been exhausting and so sad,” a source told Page Six in August. “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.”

“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” the late talent manager’s family said in a statement to The Post. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years.”

The “Already Gone” singer and Blackstock first got together in 2012 and tied the knot one year later.

They welcomed two children together during their nearly seven-year marriage: daughter River, 11, and son Remington, 9.

Clarkson filed to end their marriage in 2020, and the pair’s divorce was settled in 2022.

At the time of his death, Blackstock was dating Clarkson’s former assistant, Brittney Marie Jones.

The “Kelly Clarkson Show” host, meanwhile, was said to be most concerned for her kids in the wake of their father’s passing.

“When she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake,” a source told People after his passing.

“Kelly has always tried to keep things classy,” they added. “It became clear earlier this year that Brandon was not doing well. She’s been devastated for the kids.”