Brandon Blackstock Dies at 48 After Brave Cancer Battle
Brandon Blackstock, a respected talent manager and former husband of singer Kelly Clarkson, has passed away at the age of 48 after fighting cancer for over three years.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” a spokesperson for the Blackstock family shared in a statement to CNN on Thursday. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family.”
The family also expressed their gratitude for the love and support they’ve received during this time, asking the public to respect their privacy as they grieve:
“We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
Kelly Clarkson Pauses Las Vegas Residency to Be With Family
Just a day before the announcement, Kelly Clarkson shared that she would be pausing the remainder of her Las Vegas residency, citing her ex-husband’s declining health and her commitment to their children.
“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,” Clarkson wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post. “I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows, and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”
Clarkson and Blackstock share two children:
River Rose, born in 2014
Remington Alexander, born in 2016
A Life Rooted in Music and Family
Brandon Blackstock was no stranger to the music industry. The son of Narvel Blackstock—CEO of Starstruck Management Group, which represents stars like Blake Shelton and Carly Pearce—Brandon grew up around music and entertainment. His mother is Elisa Gayle Ritter, a television producer and music manager.
After his parents divorced when he was 12, his father married country legend Reba McEntire in 1989. McEntire played a major role in Brandon’s upbringing until she and Narvel split in 2015 after 26 years of marriage.
Inspired by his family’s legacy, Brandon followed in their footsteps, building a career in talent management. He eventually managed top artists, including Shelton, and worked behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.
A Love Story that Began with Music
Brandon first met Kelly Clarkson at the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2006, but the two reconnected in 2012 at Super Bowl XLVI. At the time, Clarkson was performing the national anthem while Blackstock was managing Blake Shelton, who also performed that evening.
Their love quickly blossomed. The couple eloped in 2013, and Brandon later became Clarkson’s manager and a producer on her Emmy-winning talk show, “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”
However, after nearly seven years of marriage, Clarkson filed for divorce in 2020, citing “irreconcilable differences.”
A Difficult Divorce and Shared Commitment to Family
The divorce proceedings were lengthy and often made headlines. Their divorce was finalized in 2022. As part of the settlement, Clarkson agreed to a one-time payment of $1.3 million to Blackstock, along with $115,000 in monthly spousal support (through January 2024) and additional monthly child support payments.
Despite their differences, both remained dedicated parents to their two children.
Reba McEntire’s Support for Both Sides
During the couple’s divorce, Reba McEntire publicly expressed her love and support for both Blackstock and Clarkson.
“I love them both,” McEntire said in a 2021 interview with Extra. “I pray everyone gives them the encouragement they can because they need it right now, both of them do. I love the both of them with all my heart.”
Brandon Blackstock leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and dedication to his family and the music industry. He will be deeply missed by many whose lives he touched, both personally and professionally.
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