Kelly Clarkson’s return to the Las Vegas stage was certainly a memorable night.
The Kelly Clarkson Show host, 43, commemorated her return to her Studio Sessions residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Friday, November 7, by helping two separate couples celebrate relationship milestones. Viral footage revealed Clarkson’s reaction when one fan popped the question to his boyfriend in the front row.
“Say, ‘yes,’ bitch,” Clarkson playfully demanded.
Once the couple were officially engaged, it was time for them to seal the deal with a kiss in front of an entire arena full of witnesses.
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“That is so sweet,” Clarkson beamed as the newly-engaged couple embraced.
As the crowd cheered, the couple, who were visiting from London, assured Clarkson that she’d definitely bagged a wedding invite. Clarkson then slyly warned the duo to “ignore [her next] song” and focus on their engagement.
“Just stay in this moment, hang out there, you know what I’m saying? Maybe go to the bathroom,” she joked. “I don’t wanna poo on your parade.”
The surprises continued later in the show when Clarkson helped another couple celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary, according to a TikTok video.
“You made it a decade? F*** yeah, look at that,” she quipped.
Clarkson even agreed to oversee an unofficial commitment ceremony for the couple, teasing; “If Blake Shelton can do this, any f***ing person can do this, they’ll let anyone do it.”
(Shelton has officiated multiple weddings, including Clarkson’s former father-in-law Narvel Blackstock tying the knot with his wife, Laura Stroud, in 2024.)
“Do you both promise to keep dancing through life together — this is amazing! — offbeat or not, for at least another 10 years?” she asked, before revising her prediction: “F*** that — [how about] 50, 60? Aim high!”
Friday night’s Kelly Clarkson: Studio Sessions concert marked her first appearance in Las Vegas since she initially postponed the residency in August. At the time, she explained that her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock was experiencing health issues.
“Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,” Clarkson announced on August 6. “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.”
The following day, a family spokesperson confirmed to Us Weekly that Blackstock had died at age 48 following a three-year battle with cancer. (Clarkson and Blackstock were married from 2013 to 2022 and shared two children: River Rose, 11, and Remy, 9. Blackstock was also a father to Savannah, 23, and Seth, 18, whom he shared with his first wife, Melissa Ashworth.)
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“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away. Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family,” a rep for the family told Us. “We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
The three-time Grammy Award winner has yet to comment publicly about Blackstock’s death, though a source told Us in August that her main focus was on her children.
“It has been draining, exhausting, emotional [and] devastating,” the insider noted. “A big part of it was making her schedule available for transporting the children to visit Brandon, and all of the emotions that came with this difficult time.”
Clarkson paused all work as she helped her two children grieve their father’s death. Eventually, the American Idol winner returned to her Kelly Clarkson Show set in New York City for the season 7 premiere on September 29 — and ultimately confirmed on Monday, November 3, that she was resuming her Las Vegas residency, as well.
