Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson’s Ex-Husband, Dies at 48
Brandon Blackstock, former talent manager and ex-husband of singer and talk show host Kelly Clarkson, has died at the age of 48 following a three-year battle with cancer. His family confirmed the news in a statement on August 7, noting that he “passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family.”
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” the family wrote. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
Clarkson Postpones Vegas Shows
Blackstock’s death comes just one day after Clarkson announced she would postpone the remaining August dates of her Las Vegas “Studio Sessions” residency to be with her children. In a statement posted to Instagram on August 6, Clarkson shared that her ex-husband’s illness required her to be “fully present” for their two children, daughter River Rose and son Remington Alexander.
“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,” she wrote. “I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”
Blackstock was a longtime talent manager who worked for his father Narvel Blackstock’s firm, Starstruck Entertainment. Over the years, he represented several major country music artists, including Blake Shelton. He also served as Clarkson’s manager from 2017 until their separation in 2020. He earned producer credits on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and the TV special Blake Shelton Live: It’s All About Tonight.
Blackstock Had a Musical Upbringing
Born into a family with deep ties to the music industry, Blackstock was the stepson of country music legend Reba McEntire, who was married to his father from 1989 to 2015. McEntire has spoken warmly about her relationship with Blackstock, once telling Entertainment Tonight, “Although he’s my stepson, I still love him like he’s my total—my blood.”
Clarkson and Blackstock met in 2006 and began dating in 2012. They married the following year and were together for seven years before Clarkson filed for divorce in June 2020, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized in March 2022, after a prolonged legal battle that included disputes over child custody and business dealings. Clarkson was ultimately awarded primary physical custody of their children and agreed to a financial settlement that included both a one-time payment to Blackstock of over $1.3 million and ongoing monthly child support.
Despite the public breakdown of their relationship, Clarkson has continued to emphasize her commitment to co-parenting their children. Her recent decision to cancel her residency performances underscored her focus on being present during what she described as an “extremely personal” time.
In addition to River and Remy, Blackstock is survived by two older children, Savannah and Seth, from a previous marriage. Savannah made him a grandfather in 2022 with the birth of her first child.
His death marks the end of a complex chapter in Clarkson’s life, one that has deeply shaped both her personal journey and her music. As she steps back from the stage to support her children, fans and friends alike have extended messages of sympathy and support during this time of loss.