Kelly Clarkson Breaks Down After Henry Winkler Gives Advice To Her Daughter With Dyslexia

Apr 23, 2023 by apost team

Kelly Clarkson first became a household name in 2002 following her win on the hit competition series “American Idol.” Since then, the singer has sold millions of copies of her albums and toured across the world. Some of her most notable hits include “Since U Been Gone,” “My Life Would Suck Without You” and “Because Of You.” With an incredible vocal tone and range, Clarkson has easily become one of the best and most recognizable pop stars in the United States.

Along with being a highly accomplished singer, Clarkson has also appeared in a variety of films and TV shows and has become one of the most beloved women in the entertainment industry due to her hilarious personality and charming wit. She was a judge for another singing competition series called “The Voice” and is even the host of her own talk show, “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”

With nearly two decades in the public eye, Clarkson’s personal life has been on full display. She famously wed Brandon Blackstock — who happens to be Reba McEntire’s former stepson — in 2013. Together they had two children, River Blackstock, 8, and Remington Blackstock, 7, as well as two older children from Blackstock’s previous marriage.

Their union didn’t last, and in June 2020, Clarkson filed for divorce from Brandon. Clarkson was awarded primary custody of their kids.

Clarkson has since opened up about what it’s been like parenting her daughter, who has dyslexia. She spoke with actor Henry Winkler, who has been open about his own experience with dyslexia, during his April 2023 appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”

During Winkler’s visit to “The Kelly Clarkson Show” in April 2023, he spoke with Clarkson about his upcoming book and what it was like writing it with dyslexia. Winkler did not always have the easiest childhood. The “Happy Days” actor grew up in a home where education was highly valued; however, because of his learning disability, his grades would often disappoint his parents. It was not until he was in his 30s that Winkler discovered that he was dyslexic.

"Education was really important to my parents and, of course, the thing that was most important to them was the most difficult for me. They were very critical and sometimes cruel,” he told the Guardian. 

According to Mayo Clinic, dyslexia is a “learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words.” Most kids with dyslexia can have a successful education with support, along with the help of tutoring or specialized programs.

Winkler has since gone on to bring awareness about dyslexia. Winkler's stepson, Jed Weitzman, said that he always felt as if he was a full part of the family. Like Winkler, he also suffers from dyslexia, bonding the two together. Winker’s daughter Zoe Winkler also struggles with dyslexia, which is one of the reasons she wanted to become a school teacher, according to Wide Open Country. “I don’t want anyone else to ever feel stupid,” she said.

Clarkson talked with the actor about what it was like writing “Being Henry,” his memoir that is set to release in October 2023, according to PEOPLE. The book will go into depth about Winkler’s life, including the hardships he’s faced because of dyslexia, as well as his career after “Happy Days.”

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On “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Winkler gave advice to Clarkson to share with River, who also has dyslexia. Clarkson explained, "I was driving my daughter to school yesterday, and she's dyslexic. And you have told me that you're dyslexic as well. I find that amazing, to tell my daughter that you've written like 40 books and you're dyslexic."

She went on to add that River was “getting bullied at school for not being able to read like all the other kids.”

Winkler shared a message with Clarkson’s second-grader and told her: "River! How you learn has nothing to do with how brilliant you are.”

Clarkson was so touched by Winkler's kind words and helping her daughter feel supported that she became choked up and reached for a tissue to wipe her tears away. “My makeup artist is going to kill me,” the singer joked before telling Winkler that his comment was “so nice.”

Clarkson has certainly been through a lot regarding her parenting, especially after her divorce from Brandon. According to PEOPLE, she spoke on Angie Martinez’s podcast about a ritual she has with her two kids about checking on their feelings.

"I ask my kids every night when we're snuggling and I put them to bed, 'Are you happy? And if you're not, what could make you happier?'” she said. She added, “A lot of times it would be like, ‘I’m just really sad. I wish Mommy and Daddy were in the same house.’”

Clarkson continued, "I just sit there and I'm like, 'I get it. I'm from a divorced family as well. I get it. That sucks. But we're going to work it out. And you are so loved by both of us.'”

What do you think about the advice Henry Winkler shared with Kelly Clarkson’s child? What parenting advice can you offer? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your family and friends.