Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson’s Ex-Husband and Talent Manager, Dies at 48 After Cancer Battle
Brandon Blackstock, a veteran talent manager best known as the former husband of singer Kelly Clarkson and the former stepson of country legend Reba McEntire, has died at the age of 48 following a more than three-year battle with cancer. His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” the family said in a statement. “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, father to four children — Savannah, Seth, River, and Remington — had been quietly facing health challenges for years. On August 6, Clarkson revealed in an emotional Instagram post that the father of her two youngest children had been ill, announcing she was postponing her Las Vegas residency to be fully present for River, 11, and Remington, 9. “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, thanking fans for their understanding.
In addition to his two children with Clarkson, Blackstock shared Savannah and Seth with his first wife, Melissa Ashworth. He became a grandfather in 2022 when Savannah welcomed her son, Lake. Family remained central in his final years, with public glimpses showing him attending events like the Houston Rodeo in March 2024 with his children, his brother Shelby, and McEntire.
Born into a family deeply embedded in the music industry, Blackstock was the son of Narvel Blackstock — who managed both Clarkson and McEntire — and Elisa Gayle Ritter. His early connection to Clarkson came in 2006 at a rehearsal for the Academy of Country Music Awards, when she was struck by his humor and presence. They reconnected years later at the Super Bowl and married in October 2013.
Clarkson often credited Blackstock with inspiring stability in her life, most notably in her 2015 hit “Piece By Piece,” which contrasted his loyalty with the abandonment she experienced from her father. Beyond their marriage, Blackstock was also Clarkson’s manager, having already built a respected career representing Blake Shelton. “I wouldn’t have hired Brandon to be my manager if I didn’t see first-hand how great he is at that,” Clarkson told Marie Claire in 2018, praising his strategic mind and dedication to his clients.
Their relationship, however, came to an end when Clarkson filed for divorce in 2020, finalized in 2022. Reflecting on the split in 2023, Clarkson admitted the decision had been painful and long in the making: “I wanted to make it beautiful. I wanted to make it awesome. I wanted to make it everything it possibly could be, and sometimes that just doesn’t happen.”
Blackstock leaves behind a legacy not only as a music industry professional but also as a devoted father and grandfather. He is survived by his four children, grandson, father, mother, and siblings Shelby, Shawna, and Chassidy.
For those who knew him, Brandon Blackstock’s life was defined by his passion for music, his dedication to family, and the resilience he showed in the face of illness — qualities that will be remembered long after his passing.