Brandon Blackstock, a veteran talent manager and Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, died on August 7, 2025, after a three-year battle with cancer. He was 48 years old.
“Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family,” the Blackstock family said in a statement released by Starstruck Entertainment, where he worked as an executive and talent manager.
According to sources with direct knowledge who spoke to TMZ, Blackstock had been fighting melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. His death came just hours after Clarkson announced she was postponing her Las Vegas residency to be with their children.
“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,” Clarkson wrote on Instagram the day before his death. The statement marked the first public acknowledgment of Blackstock’s serious health condition.
Blackstock leaves behind four children – River Rose, 11, and Remington Alexander, 9, whom he shared with Clarkson, and two older children, Savannah and Seth, from his previous marriage to Melissa Ashworth. He had also become a grandfather in 2022 when his eldest daughter gave birth to a son.
The Texas-born talent manager built a successful career in the music industry. He managed high-profile artists including Blake Shelton and served as an executive producer on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” during its first season. He was also the son of Narvel Blackstock, founder of Starstruck Entertainment, and the former stepson of country music legend Reba McEntire.
Blackstock and Clarkson met in 2006 at a rehearsal for the Academy of Country Music Awards but didn’t begin dating until 2012 after reconnecting at Super Bowl XLVI. They married in October 2013 at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee.
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The couple separated in 2020, with Clarkson filing for divorce citing “irreconcilable differences.” Their divorce was finalized in March 2022 after a contentious legal battle that included disputes over their professional relationship. Despite their differences, Clarkson prioritized their children’s well-being during Blackstock’s illness.
Throughout his cancer battle, Blackstock kept his health struggles largely private. His death has prompted an outpouring of sympathy from fans and the music industry alike.
In 2021, during the couple’s divorce, McEntire commented on her relationship with both Blackstock and Clarkson, saying she loved them both and was “pulling for both of them.” She added, “I pray everyone gives them the encouragement they can because they need it right now, both of them do.”
Clarkson had previously taken unexplained absences from her talk show in March 2025, which sources now indicate were related to helping care for Blackstock despite their difficult divorce history. She has moved to New York City with their children, where she hosts her daytime talk show.
The family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
