Kelly Clarkson and ex-husband Brandon Blackstock's long-drawn legal feud over commissions comes to an end
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kelly Clarkson’s long-drawn legal battle with her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock has finally come to an end.
The singer accused Blackstock of wrongfully taking a share of her earnings while acting as an unlicensed talent agent, which is illegal under California law.
Everything has settled between Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock
As per court documents, Clarkson’s attorneys requested a dismissal of the case on May 21. Blackstock’s firm, Starstruck Management Group, asked for a similar dismissal the very next day.
Moreover, a source confirmed to Rolling Stone, "Everything has settled."
This means Clarkson and Blackstock are no longer facing the public bench trial that a judge recently scheduled for late August. The trial was supposed to establish whether Blackstock violated the law when he acquired deals for Clarkson, such as her gig on 'The Voice', and then paid himself related commissions.
In a November 2023 ruling by a California Labor Commissioner, Blackstock was asked to repay the 'Stronger' singer over $2.6 million in commissions, as per Billboard. However, he was allowed to keep about $700,000 in commission from 'The Kelly Clarkson Show'.
Blackstock appealed the ruling in December 2023, which, if proceeded with, would have resulted in a "de novo" trial, meaning fresh proceedings from the beginning. The situation could have proved to be more dangerous for Clarkson's ex-husband, as he could have lost his $700,000 in the process.
Kelly Clarkson accused Brandon Blackstock of violating California's Talent Agencies Act
The legal dispute began in 2020 when Starstruck Management Group sued Clarkson over breaching her "oral" management agreement and unpaid commissions. The suit, which came shortly after Clarkson filed for divorce from Blackstock, led the singer to file a petition against her ex-husband and the management company with the California Labor Commission.
After Blackstock was asked to pay Clarkson $2.6 million in the November 2023 ruling, the singer filed a cross-complaint, claiming her ex-husband violated the Talent Agencies Act by unlawfully acting as a talent agency in California since 2007.
Her attorneys stated, "Based on the wrongful acts and conduct of Starstruck, as alleged hereinabove, including the violations of Sections 1700, et seq of the California Labor Code, the alleged Agreement, and all agreements between the parties, should be declared void and unenforceable, no monies should be paid by Cross-Complainants to Starstruck, and all monies previously paid by Cross-Complainants to Starstruck should be disgorged from Starstruck, forthwith."
Blackstock's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, fired back in a statement to Rolling Stone, saying, "It is morally, ethically, and legally wrong to attempt to get monies back from your ex-husband who not only helped her as her manager but who used those earnings on their children and Kelly and Brandon’s lifestyle during the marriage."
Previously, they held their ground and claimed, "Despite Starstruck’s hard work and dedication, Clarkson has decided she is going to stop paying Starstruck for what is contractually owed."
Following her divorce, the songstress left Los Angeles for New York to start her life afresh where she is reportedly doing really well.
