08 August,2025 09:01 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Kelly Clarkson Brandon Blackstock
Brandon Blackstock, a talent manager and former husband of singer Kelly Clarkson, has died of cancer. He was 48.
"It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away," a representative for the Blackstock family told CNN in a statement Thursday. "Brandon heroically fought cancer for over three years. He died quietly, surrounded by family.
According to the statement, "We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time."
The announcement came just one day after Clarkson revealed she was postponing the remainder of her Las Vegas residency due to Blackstock's health.
"While I normally keep my personal life private, my children's father has been ill for the past year, and at this time, I need to be completely present for them," Clarkson wrote in a statement uploaded on her verified Instagram account on Wednesday night. "I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding."
The couple has a daughter, River, born in 2014, and a son, Remington, born in 2016.
Blackstock was Reba McEntire's former stepson and the son of Narvel Blackstock, CEO of Nashville-based talent management business Starstruck, which represents country singers Blake Shelton and Carly Pearce. His parents split when he was twelve.
Narvel Blackstock married country sensation McEntire in 1989 and helped raise Brandon. After 26 years of marriage, the older Blackstock and McEntire separated in 2015.
Brandon Blackstock, like his parents, had a passion for the music industry and started his career in talent management.
Music was also what drew Blackstock to Clarkson.
Clarkson and Blackstock first met at the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2006 and reconnected in 2012 during Super Bowl XLVI, where Clarkson sang the national anthem. Blackstock was Shelton's manager at the time, and he was also at the game, singing "America the Beautiful."
They eloped in 2013, and Blackstone was his wife's manager and producer on her award-winning daytime talk show, "The Kelly Clarkson Show."
After seven years of marriage, Clarkson filed for divorce in 2020, alleging "irreconcilable differences."
Clarkson and Blackstone finalized their difficult divorce in 2022, with Clarkson required to make a one-time payment of $1.3 million as well as pay her ex $115,000 in monthly spousal support until January 31, 2024, as well as monthly child support.
throughout an appearance on Extra in 2021, McEntire expressed her support for both Blackstock and Clarkson throughout their divorce, stating that she loved both and was "pulling for both of them."
"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," she further shared at the time.
