Kelly Clarkson is singing a message of gratitude. 

The talk show host returned to social media for the first time since the death of ex-husband Brandon Blackstock—dad to her kids River, 11, and Remington, 9—with an emotional post to mark 23 years since she won American Idol.

"To everyone that took time 23 years ago to call in and vote for me, thank you," Kelly wrote on Instagram Sept. 4. "Winning American Idol changed my life and I will be forever grateful for all of you that have supported me for so many years."

She went on to share her appreciation for the life she's made for herself, writing, "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."

The milestone comes amid a difficult time for her family, as Blackstock's rep confirmed Aug. 7 that he had died at age 48 following a cancer battle. 

Clarkson—whose NBC show returns Sept. 29—shared she would be postponing concerts from her Las Vegas residency to be there for her kids while opening up about her former husband’s illness.

“While I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children's father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them,” the Kelly Clarkson Show host wrote in an Aug. 6 statement to her Instagram. "I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows, and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”

Clarkson, 43, and Blackstock—also dad to Savannah, 23, and Seth, 18, with ex Melissa Ashworth—separated in 2020 after seven years of marriage, finalizing their divorce two years later. At the time, the “Breakaway” singer made it abundantly clear that the former couple’s main priority was the well-being of their kids. 

“I literally ask my kids every night when we're snuggling up in the bed, ‘Are you happy? And if you're not, what could make you happier?’” Clarkson detailed during a 2023 episode of the IRL podcast. “I think communicating with them and not treating them—not treating them like an adult, because they're not—but not treating them like a child. They're not small feelings. Those are huge feelings, and those are huge emotions.”

Amid their separation, Clarkson also experienced huge emotions, noting she told her kids she’ll always have love for their father. As she noted, “I don’t know if that goes away.” 

Indeed, she spoke of how strongly she felt toward her ex and their life together, even noting the universe aligned to have her perform Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” at the 57th ACM Awards just after she and her ex finalized their divorce in 2022.

As she recalled of the moment on SiriusXM in 2023, “That was such a huge moment for me going on that nobody knew about.”

During their nearly 10-year romance, Clarkson made grand declarations of her love to Blackstock. Most notably, she penned “Piece by Piece” in his honor just after River was born in 2014, releasing the song a year later.

“I started thinking that my husband is such a great father,” Clarkson explained of penning the track to Glamour at the time. “He changes diapers, he stays up, and if I've had a late night, he'll wake up with her in the morning. We're definite partners, and I felt so lucky.”

Although Clarkson later changed the lyrics to honor herself rather than Blackstock following her divorce in 2023, the song’s emphasis on family is very much the same. 

“I understand the depth of what that is—having a child—now,” Clarkson added to Glamour. “It’s a positive song, even though it sounds sad.” 

In the track, Clarkson sings of Blackstock, “Piece by piece / He restores my faith / That a man can be kind / And a father should be great.”

Keep reading for a look back at Blackstock's life in photos... 

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