Dolly Parton offers meaningful insights.
The 79-year-old country music icon shared some compassionate advice with Kelly Clarkson after the passing of Clarkson’s ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock. Parton, who experienced her own loss with the death of her husband Carl Dean earlier this year, spoke from a personal place.
“You need to be thankful for the time you had with someone,” she said in an interview that aired recently. “Take the energy they shared with you, sort of recycle it, and let it become part of who you are. Just honoring their memory is essential; they’re in a better place now.”
The “9 to 5” singer mentioned that while she hasn’t spoken directly to Clarkson yet, she intends to reach out once she wraps up her work on her soon-to-be-released book, “Star of the Show: My Life on Stage.”
Parton’s own grief became public when her husband passed away in March at the age of 82. “Carl and I had so many beautiful years together. Words can’t fully express the love we’ve known over these 60 years,” she expressed after his death. “Thank you for your kind thoughts and support. My family needs some space during this tough time.”
Earlier in March, during an interview, Parton reflected on navigating life after such a long-term relationship. “I’m doing better than I expected,” she noted. “Having spent 60 years together means I’ll have to relearn some things, but I’ll keep him in my heart always.”
Clarkson recently faced the loss of her ex-husband, who was also the father of her two children. Blackstock died at the age of 48 following a prolonged fight against melanoma, a serious skin cancer. A family spokesperson mentioned that he “died peacefully, surrounded by family” and appreciated the support while requesting privacy during this difficult time.
Blackstock and Clarkson’s marriage lasted from 2013 until their divorce in 2020, and they finalized their settlement in 2022 after a lengthy legal struggle.
Although Clarkson hasn’t publicly discussed Blackstock’s death yet, she has reportedly been deeply affected, especially considering their children, River and nine-year-old Remington. An insider indicated that she felt the need to protect him during his illness for their sake.
Additionally, Blackstock’s obituary noted that he had a connection to Britney Marie Jones, who was Clarkson’s former assistant.
