Kelly Clarkson was absent from her talk show earlier this year because her late ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, was ill with cancer.

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 and her kids received an outpouring of love from her fans on social media after PEOPLE confirmed her ex Brandon Blackstock's death on Aug. 7. The talent manager was 48 and died after living with cancer for three years.