Brandon Blackstock: 5 Things to Know About Kelly Clarkson’s Ex

Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, died at age 48 in August 2025 following a private battle with cancer.

“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” a family spokesperson confirmed to Us Weekly. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years.”

Their statement continued, “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 managed Clarkson’s career prior to their separation in 2020. Following their split, Blackstock and Clarkson were engaged in a lengthy divorce battle as well as a separate lawsuit relating to fees he allegedly received as her music manager. They finalized their divorce in 2022, with a settlement in their business dispute following in May 2024.

The musician manager — who also worked with Blake Shelton and Rascal Flatts — was first confirmed to be in failing health only hours before his death, when Clarkson postponed several Las Vegas concerts to support their children.

Keep scrolling for five things to know about the late Brandon Blackstock.

1. He Was Survived by 4 Children

The tour manager was previously married to Melissa Ashworth from 2001 to 2012. During their 11-year marriage, Blackstock and Ashworth welcomed their daughter, Savannah, in June 2002, and their son, Seth, in November 2006.

Blackstock first met future wife Clarkson at the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2006, when he was still married to Ashworth. He reconnected with the “Piece By Piece” singer after his divorce and eventually tied the knot with Clarkson at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee, in October 2013.

Clarkson gave birth to her and Blackstock’s first daughter, River Rose, in June 2014, with son Remy arriving in April 2016. Clarkson announced the postponement of several of her Las Vegas residency concerts in order to support her children, mere hours before Blackstock’s death was confirmed by Us in August 2025.

“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 via Instagram at the time. “I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”

2. He Had Two Legal Battles With Clarkson After Their Split

In September 2020, Brandon and his father Narvel Blackstock’s company, Starstruck Management Group, sued Clarkson over accusations that she owed them $1.4 million in unpaid commissions. Clarkson countersued in October 2020, alleging that Starstuck violated the California Labor Code by “procuring, offering, promising, or attempting to procure employment or engagements” without having proper licenses. The American Idol alum later alleged that Starstruck defrauded her with unnecessary fees throughout their 13-year working relationship.

In November 2022, the California Labor Commissioner sided with Clarkson by awarding her $2.6 million. Brandon appealed the decision and denied that he’d violated California’s Talent Agencies Act, which requires only licensed talent managers to broker financial deals for artists.

A judge scheduled a bench trial for August 2024 following the appeal, where it would be determined whether Brandon violated the law for paying himself commissions on deals he negotiated for Clarkson on The Voice and other projects. However, Rolling Stone reported that both parties sought the dismissal of the case in May 2024 after reaching an out-of-court settlement. The details of their financial agreement remain private.

While the former couple were facing off in court over the demise of their professional relationship, they were also hammering out a divorce agreement. Us reported in March 2022 that Clarkson and Brandon reached a settlement where she agreed to pay $45,601 a month in child support until their children reached age 18. Kelly was ordered to pay Brandon $115,000 monthly until January 2024, as well as a one-time, tax-free lump sum of $1,326,161.

Clarkson was allowed to keep the family’s Montana home as well as their California property, where the singer lived with her children while filming The Kelly Clarkson Show in Los Angeles at the time. (The Kelly Clarkson Show moved its production base to 30 Rock in New York City at the start of its fifth season.)

3. He Worked in the Music Industry — Just Like His Dad

Brandon followed in his father Narvel’s footsteps by becoming a music manager. Narvel started as a steel guitar player and tour manager for Reba McEntire, before taking over her career management completely after their wedding in 1989.

In addition to managing Clarkson during their marriage, Brandon was an executive producer on The Kelly Clarkson Show prior to their 2020 separation. He managed Clarkson’s The Voice costar Blake Shelton as well as country music superstars Rascal Flatts.

Shelton even admitted in 2012 that he was instrumental in Clarkson and Brandon getting married.

“I told Brandon, ‘Man, you need to grow up and you figure out what you need to marry this girl,’” he told Holly Scoop. “I am going on the record saying, I will do the music at the wedding or whatever you want to do, I’ll be that guy … I will play for four hours if I have to, ’cause you need to get your head out of your ass and ask that girl to marry you.”

A source revealed to Us amid the former couple’s divorce fight that Shelton wanted to maintain his relationships with both parties despite his professional ties to Brandon.

“Blake and Kelly are extremely close,” the insider told Us “Their friendship and bond goes beyond the business.”

4. He Was Reba McEntire’s Former Son-in-Law

McEntire became a stepmother to husband Narvel’s three children from a previous relationship — Brandon, Chassidy and Shawna — when they wed in 1989. The “Queen of Country” and Narvel also welcomed a son, Shelby, in February 1990.

In August 2015, McEntire and Narvel released a joint statement announcing “the end of their marriage” after 26 years. McEntire remained close with Brandon after her divorce, in addition to publicly supporting her stepson and Clarkson following their own split in 2020.

“I am pulling for both of them. I hope they’re happy and healthy and pull through this.” McEntire told Extra in October 2021. “I pray everyone gives them the encouragement that they can because they need it right now, both of them do. I love them with my whole heart.”

5. He Was a Pilot

Clarkson referred to Brandon as “Mr. Manly Hunter Pilot Guy” in a 2013 interview with People. The “Breakaway” musician even congratulated her former husband on buying his own private plane in 2018.

“I married Maverick y’all 😜 he’s been flying for years and finally bought himself a @cirrusaircraft #dreams #reality #sexyandheknowsit,” Clarkson wrote via Instagram in June 2018