“Workhorse” Kelly Clarkson kept going during her ex Brandon Blackstock’s private three-year cancer battle because she had no other choice. The Grammy winner, 43, not only had a syndicated daily talk show to deliver, but she was also gearing up to launch her Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace in July, just weeks before his shocking death.

Clarkson, the "American Idol" star who shared two children with Blackstock, had just announced she was stepping away from concerts to support her family.

Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband and talent manager Brandon Blackstock has died of cancer. His death was first reported by People. He was 48.