Introduction
Brandon Blackstock, Talent Manager and Kelly Clarkson’s Ex-Husband, Dies at 48 Brandon Blackstock, the music executive and talent manager known for his extensive work in the country music scene and his highly publicised divorce from singer Kelly Clarkson, has died at the age of 48. The death of Mr Blackstock, son of prominent manager Narvel Blackstock and former stepson to country icon Reba McEntire, was confirmed by a family representative in early August 2025. He passed away after a three-year private battle with malignant melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. The announcement has brought renewed public attention to the executive’s complex legacy, which spanned decades managing major music acts and concluded with a significant legal dispute over management commissions and a dramatic career shift to the ranching lifestyle in Montana. Complex Financial Dispute Concluded by Confidential Settlement Mr Blackstock's later years were dominated by legal proceedings related to his business dealings while he served as the manager for Ms Clarkson. The entanglement stemmed from a period during their marriage when Mr Blackstock managed her career through Starstruck Entertainment, the firm founded by his father. A key point of contention was a 2023 ruling by a California labour commissioner. This ruling found that Mr Blackstock and Starstruck had violated the state’s Talent Agencies Act (TAA) by procuring lucrative employment deals for Ms Clarkson without being a licensed talent agent. The deals in question included high-profile contracts such as those for The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Voice, the Billboard Music Awards, and partnerships with brands like Wayfair. The commissioner ordered Mr Blackstock to repay commissions totalling $2,641,374 (£2.
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1 million) to his former wife. Legal experts noted the significance of the ruling in defining the boundaries between managers and licensed agents in California's entertainment industry. Following the ruling, Ms Clarkson filed a separate lawsuit seeking a full accounting of all monies received by Starstruck, suggesting the amount owed could be higher. Mr Blackstock, in turn, filed counter-claims, denying the allegations and arguing that the commission ruling was binding. The prospect of a lengthy, high-profile bench trial, originally slated for August 2024, was ultimately avoided. In May 2024, both parties requested a dismissal of all pending cases, confirming a confidential settlement had been reached. “Everything is settled,” a source close to the negotiations told People magazine at the time, indicating an end to the protracted professional and personal legal disputes that began when Ms Clarkson filed for divorce in June 2020. The finalisation of the divorce in March 2022 had already necessitated substantial financial provisions, including a one-time lump sum payment of over $1. 3 million from Ms Clarkson to Mr Blackstock and spousal support payments of $115,000 per month, which concluded in January 2024. A Career in the Heart of Country Music Before the legal battles placed Mr Blackstock at the centre of celebrity headlines, he was a respected figure behind the scenes of the country music industry.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, he was immersed in the Nashville business from childhood. His father, Narvel Blackstock, is a successful music executive, and his stepmother, Reba McEntire, is one of country music’s most celebrated artists. Mr Blackstock established his own credentials at Starstruck Entertainment, where he cultivated a reputation for strategic client management. His roster included major country acts, most notably the group Rascal Flatts and high-profile singer-songwriter Blake Shelton. Ms Clarkson herself previously acknowledged Mr Blackstock's professional acumen during their marriage. Speaking publicly about her decision to hire him as her manager, she reportedly stated, "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," adding that she would have hired him “regardless” of their relationship given the success of Mr Shelton’s career under his guidance. Transition to Ranching and Rodeo Following the conclusion of his divorce and the associated legal conflicts, Mr Blackstock began a significant career departure, embracing a long-held ambition to work the land in Montana. He relocated permanently to a property he owned in Butte, Montana, seeking a life away from the demanding pace of the entertainment industry. According to an obituary released by the family, Mr Blackstock had dedicated himself to the "cowboy way of life" and was focused on building new businesses. The tribute noted that he and his partner, Brittney Marie Jones, had been "working tirelessly to create Headwaters Livestock Auction and what will live on as his legacy, The Valley View Rodeo in Bozeman, Montana.
" This transition marked a distinct pivot from the bright lights of Los Angeles and Nashville to the quiet, rugged landscape of the American West, where he spent his final years. Family Tributes and Public Response The announcement of Mr Blackstock’s passing generated an immediate response from his family and those close to him. The official family statement asked for privacy during the difficult time, describing his battle with cancer as “courageous. ” The personal toll of his illness was previously acknowledged by Ms Clarkson, who had postponed her Las Vegas residency in mid-2025 to focus on their two children, River Rose and Remington Alexander, during their father’s illness. Mr Blackstock is survived by these children, as well as his two elder children, Savannah and Seth, from a previous marriage. His death brings a definitive closure to a high-profile period of legal and personal turmoil. An industry observer, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic, suggested that Mr Blackstock's career serves as a case study in the complexities of intertwined relationships in the entertainment business. “When the professional and personal lines blur, as they often do in the management world, the financial and emotional costs of separation can be extraordinarily high. The TAA ruling, followed by the settlement, sets a clear precedent for managers globally, regardless of their celebrity ties,” the source noted. In summary, Brandon Blackstock’s life leaves behind a dual legacy: a respected professional history that helped shape major country music careers and a public narrative defined by a high-stakes legal contest and a quiet, determined pursuit of a pastoral life in Montana.
15 hours ago Brandon Blackstock, a talent manager who was best known as the former husband of Kelly Clarkson and former stepson of country superstar Reba McEntire, has died.
15 hours ago Brandon Blackstock, a talent manager known as Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband and Reba McEntire's stepson, has died at 48.
15 hours ago Brandon Blackstock, whose marriage to and contentious split from Kelly Clarkson put him in the celebrity spotlight, has died of cancer at age 48.
1 day ago Brandon Blackstock, a talent manager and Kelly Clarkson‘s ex-husband, has died. He was 48. Blackstock’s family confirmed he had been battling cancer for more than three years..
15 hours ago Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband Brandon Blackstock dies at 48 after a three-year cancer battle, his family confirms.
15 hours ago Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband and talent manager Brandon Blackstock has died of cancer. His death was first reported by People. He was 48.
1 day ago Blackstock is Reba McEntire’s former stepsonBrandon Blackstock, the former husband of Kelly Clarkson, has died. He was 48. A representative for the family told People in.
15 hours ago Brandon Blackstock, the ex-husband of pop star Kelly Clarkson, has died from cancer, a family representative confirmed to CBS News. He was 48 years old. "It is with great.
14 hours ago Brandon Blackstock, the ex-husband and former manager of Kelly Clarkson, has died at the age of 48. The news was confirmed by Blackstock’s family, who told People that he.
15 hours ago Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband Brandon Blackstock's death has been confirmed. He died at the age of 48 after battling cancer.
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