The Kelly Clarkson Show staff had a major wakeup call when they caught wind of Brandon Blackstock's death. It's been an undeniably tough year for Kelly Clarkson in the wake of her ex-husband's death in August. The late talent manager lost a secret two-year battle with cancer - a battle so secret most daytime show staff didn't even know. Which made the host's sudden leave difficult to comprehend, and therefore sympathize with. On Wednesday, an unnamed staffer spoke with DailyMail.