Brandon Blackstock, manager of artists from the country of country as Blake Shelton and former Kelly Clarkson, with whom he had two children, River and Remington, 11 and 9 years old, has died at age 48 because of a cancer diagnosed three years ago.
Only this Thursday Clarksson had communicated the postponement of his concerts in Las Vegas and the recording of his program The Kelly Clarkson Show due to Blackstock’s disease, who in recent days had fallen sick: “Although I normally maintain my personal life in private, this last year my children’s father has been sick and at this time I need to be fully present for them,” he explained in a statement. “Sincerely regret all those who bought tickets for the shows and I really appreciate their grace, kindness and understanding.”
Brandon Blackstock, who was also Clarkson’s manager, for years he worked at the family business and talent agency Starstruck Entertainment, founded in Nashville by his father, Narvel Blackstock, who was married to the singer Reba Mcentire.
Clarksson and Blackstock met in 2006, committed themselves in 2012 and married in 2013. That year, Clarkson dedicated Brandon ‘Winter Dreams (Brandon’s Song)’, a song included in his Christmas album ‘Wrapped in Red’. Brandon has been subject to other Romantic songs by Clarksson, such as ‘Piece by Piece’, and his divorce – consumed in 2020 – inspired the album ‘Chemistry’ (2023).
Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock starred in a legal battle after their divorce that revolved around the management of their career and the collection of commissions. In 2020, Brandon’s company, Starstruck Entertainment, sued it for alleged unpaid fees. However, in 2023 a work commissioner of California failed in favor of Kelly, concluding that Brandon and the company had acted as agents without a license and ordering to return more than 2.6 million dollars.
In 2024, Kelly expanded the lawsuit to claim payments since 2007, but Brandon requested that it be dismissed arguing that the matter was already resolved. Finally, in May of that same year, both parties reached a confidential agreement and closed the case.
