Kelly Clarkson recently offered a rare glimpse into her family life by sharing a photo of her two children, who are currently coping with the profound loss of their father, Brandon Blackstock, just four months after his unexpected passing.

This past weekend, the 43-year-old singer posted a touching image of her daughter, River Rose, who is 11, and her son, Remington, age 9, enjoying ice skating at New York City’s iconic Rockefeller Center.

‘Ice skating at 30 Rock with the family,’ she captioned the heartwarming image, which showed her kids smiling warmly at the camera, bundled up in puffer jackets and beanies.

Accompanying the former American Idol star and her children was an unidentified family member or friend, as they indulged in one of the city’s most beloved winter pastimes.

Their outing follows the tragic news of Blackstock’s death at 48, after a private and valiant three-year struggle with melanoma, as noted in the obituary released by Butte Funeral Home.

In a surprising revelation, the obituary also mentioned that Blackstock had been involved in a relationship with Clarkson’s former assistant before his death.

Kelly Clarkson shared a rare photo of her two kids as they continue to navigate unimaginable grief just four months after the sudden death of their father, Brandon Blackstock

Clarkson and Blackstock’s relationship began in 2006, blossomed into romance in 2012, and culminated in their marriage in 2013 during an intimate ceremony at Blackberry Farms in Tennessee.

The pair went on to welcome River in 2014 and Remington in 2016 before Clarkson filed for divorce in 2020, citing ‘irreconcilable differences.’  

The split was finalized two years later.

While reflecting on the painful breakup during a 2023 appearance on Angie Martinez’s IRL podcast, the star admitted navigating it all in the spotlight was a challenge.  

‘I think the thing about divorce, especially having it publicized, and people thinking they know the whole thing, the hardest part of that is, like, it wasn’t an overnight decision.’

She added that she had desperately wanted their marriage to work.

‘I wanted to make it beautiful. I wanted to make it awesome… and sometimes that just doesn’t happen,’ Clarkson explained.

Additionally, she spoke of her and Blackstock’s co-parenting relationship and how her kids were handling their breakup. 

Their festive outing comes in the wake of Blackstock’s heartbreaking passing at age 48 following a private, ‘brave and courageous’ three-year battle with melanoma; seen in 2020

The former couple welcomed River in 2014 and Remington in 2016 before Clarkson filed for divorce in 2020, citing ‘irreconcilable differences’ (seen in 2019)

The former couple later became embroiled in a drawn-out legal dispute over commissions, with Clarkson accusing her ex of making unauthorized business deals on her behalf.

They reached a settlement in May 2024, finally ending the contentious battle. 

‘I ask my kids every night when we’re snuggling and I put them to bed, “Are you happy? And if you’re not, what could make you happier?”‘ she said on the podcast.

Clarkson noted her kids were ‘really honest about’ their needs and wishing ‘Mommy and Daddy were in the same house.’ 

‘I just sit there and I’m like, ‘I get it. I’m from a divorced family as well. I get it. That sucks. But we’re going to work it out. And you are so loved by both of us,’ she said. 

Following the news of his death, a source told People that Clarkson ‘remained protective’ of her ex when she ‘found out that he was sick’ for the sake of their children. 

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

‘The divorce was incredibly difficult for her — messy, painful and something she felt terrible about,’ the source concluded. ‘But she always wanted her kids to have the best relationship possible with their dad. She never spoke poorly about Brandon to the kids.’