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Brandon Blackstock, longtime talent manager and former husband of Kelly Clarkson, has died at the age of 48 after a private, three-year battle with cancer. His death was confirmed by a statement from his family, released on August 7.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” the family’s statement read. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time.”
Blackstock leaves behind four children, Savannah and Seth from a previous marriage, and River and Remington with Clarkson, as well as a grandson, Lake, born in 2022. He is also survived by his father, Narvel Blackstock, siblings Shelby, Shawna, and Chassidy, and former stepmother Reba McEntire, who was previously married to Narvel.
Just one day before his passing was announced, Clarkson addressed Blackstock’s illness in a statement posted to Instagram. She shared that she would be stepping away from her Las Vegas residency to focus on their two 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,” she wrote. “I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”
The news followed a series of postponed concert dates. Clarkson had originally delayed the start of her "Studio Sessions" residency in July due to vocal strain, but eventually cited personal reasons, namely Blackstock’s condition, as the reason for stepping back from performances scheduled through November.
Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock's relationship:
The pair’s relationship began nearly two decades ago. Their first meeting happened in May 2006 at a rehearsal for the Academy of Country Music Awards, where Blackstock, then married to Melissa Ashworth, was working as a manager.
Years later, they reconnected at the Super Bowl and began dating. They married in October 2013, and Clarkson later wrote the emotional 2015 ballad “Piece By Piece” about the stability Blackstock brought into her life at the time.
Blackstock, who also managed Blake Shelton, eventually became Clarkson’s manager. “I wouldn’t have hired Brandon to be my manager if I didn’t see first-hand how great he is at that and how much he cares about Blake,” Clarkson told Marie Claire in 2018.
Clarkson filed for divorce in 2020, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The process was difficult and heavily publicized. The divorce was finalized in 2022 with Clarkson agreeing to a $1.3 million one-time payment, $115,000 per month in spousal support through January 2024, and $45,601 per month in child support.