Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 13, 2025 · Entertainment

Dolly Parton Offers Healing Words to Kelly Clarkson Amidst Grief

Dolly Parton offered her friend Kelly Clarkson advice and words of support in an interview with ET recorded in the wake of the death of Clarkson's ex-husband Brandon Blackstock; pictured in January in Nashville, Tennessee

DOLLY PARTON REACHES OUT TO KELLY CLARKSON AND REBA MCENTIRE AFTER TRAGIC LOSS

In a heartwarming display of friendship and compassion, country music legend Dolly Parton has reached out to her dear friends Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire in the wake of the devastating loss of Brandon Blackstock. The 48-year-old former manager had been battling melanoma before his passing last week.

Parton, who knows a thing or two about losing a loved one, having recently suffered the loss of her husband Carl Dean just five months prior, offered words of encouragement and support to Clarkson and McEntire in a heartfelt video interview with Entertainment Tonight.

tafter Clarkson announced she was postponing her August

"Darlin', I think you just have to be grateful for the years that you've had with someone," Parton said, urging her friends to focus on the happier memories they shared with Brandon. "Try to remember the very best of all that, and take the energy from those better times in the past and recycle it – let it become a part of you."

Parton's advice comes from a place of experience, having lost her husband after 58 years of marriage. Dean, who was known for shying away from the spotlight, passed away at 82 in March.

The country icon also reflected on her own relationship with her late husband, revealing that she had to convince him to join her at an awards show back in 1967. Despite his initial reluctance, Parton convinced Dean to attend the event, where she won BMI Song of the Year. However, after the ceremony, he made it clear that he was not interested in attending such events again.

Parton's advice for the 43-year-old singer came from a place of experience, as she lost her husband, Carl Dean (pictured), just five months earlier

"I wish you the best, but don't ever ask me to go to another one of these damn things because I ain't going," Parton recalled Dean saying. True to his word, Dean never joined her at an awards show again, choosing instead to keep a low profile and stay out of the spotlight.

Despite their differences in terms of public appearances, Parton's love for her husband was evident throughout their marriage. "Carl and I spent many wonderful years together," she wrote in a heartfelt tribute after his passing. "Words can't do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years."

Now, as Parton reaches out to Clarkson and McEntire during this difficult time, it's clear that her friendship with these two country music icons is just as strong as ever.

'I think that you just have to be grateful for the years that you've had with someone, and just try to remember the very best of all that,' Parton said, adding that those happy memories could give Clarkson and McEntire 'energy'; pictured in June 2024 in Nashville

"I love Reba and I love Kelly," Parton declared in her interview. "We don't always get to visit each other like we'd like to, but we're close friends, and we support each other through thick and thin."

Parton's new book, Star Of The Show: My Life On Stage, has been keeping her busy lately, but she's made it clear that she'll be catching up with Clarkson soon. And as for McEntire, the two are set to work together on a project in the near future.

As for Blackstock's family and friends, Parton's words of encouragement are sure to provide some comfort during this difficult time. By focusing on the happier memories they shared with Brandon, they can take solace in knowing that he may be gone, but his legacy lives on through the love and memories they created together.

She added that they could take comfort in knowing that their loved ones 'are in a better place than we are these days'; pictured in March in Nashville

A Closer Look at Dolly Parton's Relationship with Her Late Husband Carl Dean

Dolly Parton and her husband Carl Dean were married for an impressive 58 years before his passing in March. Despite their long marriage, Parton has always been reluctant to discuss their personal relationship in great detail. However, in a rare interview with Bunnie Xo's Dumb Blonde Podcast in 2024, she gave fans a glimpse into her marriage.

Parton revealed that while her husband loved music, he was not interested in being part of the spotlight. In fact, Dean was so opposed to attending public events with his wife that Parton had to convince him to join her at an awards show back in 1967. Despite his initial reluctance, Parton convinced Dean to attend the event, where she won BMI Song of the Year.

Blackstock— who shared two young children with Clarkson — was the former stepson to Reba McEntire; pictured March 2025

However, after the ceremony, Dean made it clear that he was not interested in attending such events again. "I wish you the best, but don't ever ask me to go to another one of these damn things because I ain't going," Parton recalled Dean saying.

It's clear that despite their differences in terms of public appearances, Parton's love for her husband was unwavering throughout their marriage. As she reflected on their relationship in a heartfelt tribute after his passing, it's evident that their bond was truly one-of-a-kind.

The Tragic Loss of Brandon Blackstock

The country superstar was married to Blackstock's father, film producer Narvel Blackstock, from 1989–2015, and they share a son, Blackstock's half-brother Shelby, 35; Narvel, Reba, Kelly and Brandon pictured in 2015 in Phoenix, Ariz.

Brandon Blackstock, the 48-year-old former manager and ex-husband of Kelly Clarkson, passed away last week after a battle with melanoma. The news sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with many fans and friends taking to social media to express their condolences.

Blackstock's family and friends are still reeling from his sudden passing, but Parton's words of encouragement are sure to provide some comfort during this difficult time. By focusing on the happier memories they shared with Brandon, they can take solace in knowing that he may be gone, but his legacy lives on through the love and memories they created together.

In a statement released last week, Clarkson paid tribute to her late ex-husband, saying: "I am so grateful for the time we had together and will always cherish the memories. I ask that you respect our family's privacy as we go through this difficult time."

Blackstock (top left) looked frail when he was last pictured in March of this year at the Houston Rodeo in a group photo featuring McEntire and his daughter Savannah (bottom left) — from his previous marriage to Melissa Ashworth — who held his grandson Lake on her lap

As fans continue to mourn Blackstock's passing, Parton's words of encouragement serve as a reminder that even in times of grief, there is always hope and love to be found.

Dolly Parton's Advice for Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire

In her video interview with Entertainment Tonight, Parton offered some sage advice to her friends Clarkson and McEntire. "Try to remember the very best of all that," she said, urging them to focus on the happier memories they shared with Brandon.

In March, Parton suffered a tragedy closer to home when her longtime husband, the famously reclusive Carl Dean, died on March 3 at age 82, after nearly 60 years of marriage

Parton also suggested taking the energy from those better times in the past and recycling it – letting it become a part of you. "Honor their memory" by holding onto the love and laughter they shared, she added.

As fans know all too well, Parton has been through her fair share of loss and grief. Having recently lost her husband Carl Dean, she understands firsthand the pain and heartache that comes with saying goodbye to a loved one.

But even in the midst of sorrow, Parton's words are a reminder that there is always hope and love to be found. By focusing on the happier memories they shared with Brandon, Clarkson and McEntire can take solace in knowing that he may be gone, but his legacy lives on through the love and memories they created together.

'Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can't do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy,' Parton wrote. They had been married since 1966, but Dean was a 'homebody' and avoided public appearances with her

Dolly Parton's Friendship with Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire

Parton's friendship with Clarkson and McEntire is one for the ages. The three country music icons have been close friends for years, supporting each other through thick and thin.

In her interview with Entertainment Tonight, Parton reflected on her friendships in show business. "I have a lot of friends in the business," she said, adding that it's not always easy to keep up with them. "People always say, 'Who are your best friends?' I always say, 'Well, my best friends are my family, my sisters.'"

Parton also acknowledged that she doesn't often get to visit her friends as much as she'd like. However, it's clear that her friendship with Clarkson and McEntire is strong and enduring.

As fans continue to mourn Brandon Blackstock's passing, Parton's words of encouragement serve as a reminder that even in times of grief, there is always hope and love to be found. By focusing on the happier memories they shared with Brandon, Clarkson and McEntire can take solace in knowing that he may be gone, but his legacy lives on through the love and memories they created together.

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