Kelly Clarkson files cross-complaint against ex-husband Brandon Blackstock as battle over commissions intensifies

Kelly Clarkson's ex, Brandon Blackstock, was asked to pay her $2.6 million after she countered his 2020 lawsuit that accused her of non-payment of commissions
PUBLISHED MAR 14, 2024
Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson have been involved in a messy legal battle involving Starstruck Entertainment (Getty Images)
Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson have been involved in a messy legal battle involving Starstruck Entertainment (Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kelly Clarkson has reportedly filed a cross-complaint against her former spouse Brandon Blackstock after he sued her over unpaid commissions.

The 41-year-old singer and Brandon were married between 2013 and 2021 and he acted as her manager on behalf of Starstruck Entertainment, the company owned by his father, Narvel Blackstock, as per RadarOnline.

Brandon Blackstock (L) and honoree Kelly Clarkson attend Billboard’s Women in Music 2017 presented in partnership with FIJI Water on November 30, 2017 in Hollywood, California.
Brandon Blackstock sued Kelly Clarkson over non-payment of commissions (Getty Images)

Starstruck Entertainment claimed Kelly Clarkson didn't pay $1.4 million in commissions

Starstruck Entertainment reportedly signed Clarkson in 2007 and as part of their agreement, she had to pay 15 percent of her gross earnings as commission.

However, in its 2020 lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, the firm alleged that the singer did not give it $1.4 million in commissions from her work on 'The Voice' and 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' after problems began in the former pair's relationship.

It reportedly claimed, "Over the course of approximately 13 years, Starstruck developed Clarkson into a mega superstar," as per Variety


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson)


 

The company continued, "By way of example only, Starstruck was instrumental in helping Clarkson achieve success in terms of numerous hit albums, multiple Grammy wins and nominations, her role on popular television shows like ‘The Voice’ and her own talk show."

It further stated, "Despite Starstruck’s hard work and dedication, Clarkson has decided she is going to stop paying Starstruck for what is contractually owed."

Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband Brandon Blackstock was previously asked to pay her $2.6 million

Clarkson challenged the suit by filing a petition with the California Labor Commission and accused her ex-husband of defrauding her and wrongfully becoming her talent agent.

The 'Broken & Beautiful' hitmaker eventually won the petition in 2023 and as part of it, the California Labor Commission asked Brandon to pay her $2.6 million.

However, Brandon and his father's company did not agree with the ruling and filed an appeal against it. Clarkson reportedly argued that they could not appeal the verdict without posting a bond of $5.2 million as per the California Labor Commission verdict.

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 12: (L-R) Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson attend the 25th A
Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson divorced in 2021 (Getty Images)

In her cross-complaint, the attorneys of the mother-of-two 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."

Besides, Clarkson apparently wants the court to nullify the management agreement signed with Starstruck Entertainment, regarding all "monies or things of value received directly or indirectly by Starstruck in connection with any services rendered or to be rendered by Cross-Complainants as artists in the entertainment industry."

MORE STORIES

The post Khloe Kardashian liked featured Charlie Kirk speaking with a fan at an event about his devout Christian faith
Sep 13, 2025
Whitney Cummings sparked widespread outrage after posting a controversial tweet about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
Sep 13, 2025
Prince Harry was spotted entering King Charles’s London residence, months after saying his father had ignored his calls
Sep 11, 2025
Rosie O'Donnell said Ellen DeGeneres’ friendship denial hurt so much she printed T-shirts for her staff reading, 'I don’t know Rosie, we’re not friends'
Sep 10, 2025
A post alleged that Karoline Leavitt called Patti LaBelle 'just a singer,' leading LaBelle to deliver a seven-word response that froze the studio
Sep 10, 2025
Jennifer Lopez feels free channeling emotions into music, but Ben Affleck is embarrassed and sees it as crossing a line, according to the source
Sep 9, 2025
Howard Stern added that he missed last week’s show due to illness, not contract talks, and addressed rumors of being fired from his own show
Sep 9, 2025
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement in August 2025 triggered a wave of pregnancy chatter after an ultrasound photo went viral
Sep 9, 2025
Ed Sheeran, 34, revealed that he was leaving Suffolk with his wife Cherry Seaborn and their two daughters, Lyra and Jupiter
Sep 9, 2025
From Ice Spice’s chaotic corset to Paris Hilton’s flame dress, see the celebs who landed on the worst-dressed list at the 2025 VMAs
Sep 8, 2025