Brandon Blackstock, a respected talent manager and former husband of singer Kelly Clarkson, has died at the age of 48 following a more than three-year battle with cancer.
In a statement released on Thursday, his family confirmed the news, saying, “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away. Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family.” The family also requested privacy during this difficult time.
The announcement came just a day after Clarkson revealed she would pause the remainder of her Las Vegas residency to be present for her children amid Blackstock’s illness. In a heartfelt Instagram post on Wednesday night, Clarkson wrote, “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. I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”
Blackstock and Clarkson married in 2013 after reconnecting at the 2012 Super Bowl, where she performed the national anthem. At the time, he was managing country star Blake Shelton. The couple went on to have two children together — daughter River, born in 2014, and son Remington, born in 2016.
Born into a family deeply rooted in the country music industry, Blackstock was the son of Narvel Blackstock, CEO of Nashville-based Starstruck Entertainment, and the former stepson of country legend Reba McEntire. Following in his family’s footsteps, he built a career in talent management, working with major artists including Shelton and Carly Pearce.
Blackstock also played a role in Clarkson’s career, serving as her manager and working as a producer on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Their marriage ended in 2020, with their divorce finalized in 2022 after a high-profile legal battle that included significant financial settlements.
Despite their split, Clarkson and Blackstock remained connected as co-parents. His passing marks a profound loss for his family, friends, and the music industry.
Tributes have begun pouring in from colleagues and fans, honoring Blackstock’s dedication, talent, and devotion to his loved ones.
