A lot of questions have surrounded Kelly Clarkson over the past several months due to absences from her talk show and canceled concert dates. An unfortunate explanation came on August 7, when it was revealed that her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock died of cancer after a private three-year battle.

Blackstock has passed away following a secret three-year battle with cancer, a family spokesperson revealed in a statement.

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