Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband Brandon Blackstock dies at 48 after cancer battle
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Brandon Blackstock, a talent manager recognized as Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband and Reba McEntire's former stepson, has died at the age of 48.
The announcement followed shortly after Clarkson shared her ex's ill health as a reason for postponing her Las Vegas residency shows for August, along with her earlier break from her talk show.
Brandon Blackstock battled cancer for over three years before death
It was disclosed that Brandon Blackstock had been fighting cancer for three years before his death.
"It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away," a rep for the family confirmed to People.
"Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family," the statement said.
"We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time," it concluded.
Kelly Clarkson announces reason for cancelling residency shows
On Wednesday, August 6, Kelly Clarkson revealed Brandon Blackstock had been ill, and she postponed her Las Vegas residency to spend time with their children, River, 11, and Remington, 9.
"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 in an Instagram post.
View this post on Instagram
"I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding," she added.
Blackstock also had two children from a previous marriage, Savannah and Seth, and became a grandfather in 2022 when his eldest child, Savannah, gave birth to a son, Lake.
Clarkson, 43, previously cancelled the first two shows of her Las Vegas residency due to vocal issues. Before this, she also took nearly two weeks off from her daytime talk show.
Now people reported it was all because of her ex-husband's illness.
Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson's relationship and legal battle
Kelly Clarkson married Brandon Blackstock in October 2013. They first met at a rehearsal for the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2006.
Blackstock was still married to his ex-wife, Melissa Ashworth, at the time.
Clarkson and Blackstock went through a bitter divorce in 2020, with their Montana ranch becoming a major source of conflict during the proceedings.
The 'Stronger' singer ultimately gained ownership of the property, despite Blackstock residing there at the time and losing a legal battle to have him evicted from the ranch.
When the divorce was finalized in March 2022, Clarkson was ordered to pay Blackstock a one-time payment of just over $1.3 million, plus monthly spousal and child support payments.
The pair were later entangled in additional legal battles; in 2023, Blackstock was ordered to pay Clarkson more than $2.6 million in past commissions for overstepping his legal limits while serving as her manager and unlawfully procuring her work in a violation of California’s Talent Agencies Act.
In March 2024, the singer filed a lawsuit asserting she might be owed additional money, but both parties dropped their cases by early May 2024.
Kelly Clarkson struggled after split with Brandon Blackstock
Kelly Clarkson has spoken in the past about the emotional aftermath of her separation from Brandon Blackstock.
On her talk show and various podcasts, she has shared how difficult the period was. “It rips you apart,” said Clarkson in a 2013 conversation. She added later, “I don’t know how people get through anything like that.”
Being candid about her healing journey, Clarkson revealed, “I’m not going to say I did it gracefully behind closed doors ... just to be brutally honest I did not handle it well.” Over time, she has learned to be more cautious about who gets access to her life.
“Not everyone is deserving of your story or worth it or worth your time,” Clarkson said on a 40-minute interview with radio DJ Zane Lowe for Apple Music.
“It doesn’t mean that person is bad and you’re good or you’re bad and they’re good," she said.
One insider told Page Six recently that the singer is going through “hidden battles that very few people are privy to,” adding that her personal life is “so insanely complicated.”
