Brandon Blackstock, Talent Manager and Kelly Clarkson’s Ex-Husband, Dies at 48

Image via Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock

Brandon Blackstock, a respected talent manager and former husband of singer Kelly Clarkson, has died at the age of 48 following a private, years-long battle with cancer. A family representative confirmed the news in a statement, saying he “passed away peacefully, surrounded by family” and asked for privacy during this difficult time.

Blackstock was best known to the public as the ex-husband of Grammy-winning artist Kelly Clarkson, as well as the former stepson of country music legend Reba McEntire. However, within the music industry, he was recognized as a seasoned talent manager who previously represented artists including Blake Shelton and Clarkson herself.

In recent months, Clarkson postponed her Las Vegas residency, citing the need to be fully present for her children, River, 11, and Remington, 9, whom she shared with Blackstock. “This past year, my children’s father has been ill, and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them,” she said in a statement earlier this week.

In addition to River and Remington, Blackstock had two children from a previous marriage, Savannah and Seth, and became a grandfather in 2022 when Savannah welcomed her first child, Lake. Despite their divorce in 2022 and later legal disputes, Clarkson previously spoke about her hopes of maintaining a sense of peace for the sake of their children.

The couple's relationship began in 2006 and led to a marriage in 2013. Their connection inspired Clarkson’s 2015 ballad “Piece by Piece,” a personal reflection on love and abandonment. During their marriage, Blackstock also took on the role of Clarkson’s manager, a decision she said was based on seeing his work ethic and talent first-hand.

Their divorce was finalized in 2022 after a contentious legal battle, including disputes over property and finances. In 2023, a court ordered Blackstock to pay Clarkson over $2.6 million in past commissions after determining he had unlawfully acted as her manager. By May 2024, both parties had withdrawn any ongoing legal claims.

Despite the public nature of their separation, Clarkson reflected candidly in interviews about the emotional toll of their breakup and the challenges of parenting through it. In a 2023 podcast appearance, she shared that their children still harbored hopes for reconciliation.

Brandon Blackstock is survived by his four children, grandson, father Narvel Blackstock, and siblings Shelby, Shawna, and Chassidy.