Kelly Clarkson will make a long-awaited return to her eponymous talk show this month following the death of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock.
According to a press release from NBC, the “American Idol” alum’s show will debut its seventh season on Sept. 29 — with Clarkson helming the new episodes.
Production on the season will begin the week of Sept. 8, with celebrity guests like Julia Roberts, Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt in the lineup.
A rep for Clarkson did not immediately return Page Six’s request for comment.
The news comes nearly a month after the Aug. 7 death of Blackstock, who died at 48 after a private battle with melanoma. “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” a family spokesperson told Page Six at the time.
“Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
The source also confirmed to Page Six that Blackstock was in hospice prior to his death.
The talk show icon, 43, canceled several of her Las Vegas residency shows — for the second time — on the eve of her ex-husband’s death, citing concern for their two children.
“Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,” the hitmaker wrote in an Aug. 6 Instagram post
“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,” she continued. “I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”
Signs of personal trouble for the TV host first emerged in March. At the time, Clarkson was absent from the show for 10 episodes due to a “personal matter that does not directly involve her,” sources reportedly told TMZ at the time.
More absences followed in April.
In July, Clarkson canceled some of her Las Vegas residency shows for the first time, just 90 minutes before she was scheduled to perform. A source told Page Six at the time that the songstress’ “personal life is so insanely complicated … Kelly is fighting some serious hidden battles that very few people are privy to … it’s a source of emotional and therefore physical distress for her.”
Clarkson and Blackstock married in 2013 and finalized their complicated divorce in 2022, with the “Stronger” singer obtaining primary custody of their children, River, 11, and Remy, 9.
The singer — who resurfaced wearing black at LAX several weeks after Blackstock’s death — reportedly felt “guilty” amid the loss.
“Kelly is aware of talk that stress can impact the body and make someone more susceptible to cancer,” a source told the Daily Mail last month, referencing the star’s “frustrating” split and custody battle.
“Although the timing could be purely coincidental, she knows how much tension the divorce and lawsuits put on them,” they added.
While Clarkson “doesn’t blame herself,” the insider emphasized that she’s “conscious that the double whammy of the divorce and the fact that he had to repay her millions of dollars was very tough on him.”
Amid Blackstock’s illness, the singer “felt bad” and jumped into action to “protect” River and Remy. The source added that “being there for her kids is helping her to cope with the onslaught of emotions.”