Kelly Clarkson returns to social media after Blackstock's death

Kelly Clarkson returned to social media on Thursday for the first time since the death of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, sharing a throwback photo to mark the 23rd anniversary of her American Idol victory and thanking fans for their support. The post, which the singer published on Instagram, came nearly a month after Blackstock died on Aug. 7 at age 48.

"To everyone that took time 23 years ago to call in and vote for me, thank you," Clarkson wrote alongside a photo from the Season 1 finale. "Winning American Idol changed my life and I will be forever grateful for all of you that have supported me for so many years. 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."

Blackstock's death was announced by a representative at the time. A statement said he "bravely battled cancer for more than three years" and passed peacefully surrounded by family, and asked for privacy for the grieving relatives. Some reports have identified the cancer as malignant melanoma. The former couple, who were married in 2013 and separated in 2020, share two children: daughter River, 11, and son Remington, 9, who is sometimes...