Brandon Blackstock, Music Manager and Kelly Clarkson’s Ex-Husband, Dies at 48 After Private Battle With Cancer
LOS ANGELES — Brandon Blackstock, a prominent music manager known for his work with top country artists and his former marriage to Kelly Clarkson, has died at the age of 48 following a private, three-year battle with cancer.
In a statement released by the family, a representative shared:
“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.”
A Quiet Battle Comes to Light
Just days before his passing, Clarkson made her first public acknowledgment of Blackstock’s illness, announcing a pause in her Las Vegas residency to focus on their children, River Rose (11) and Remington Alexander (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 in a heartfelt message.
Blackstock is also survived by two older children, Savannah and Seth, from a previous marriage, and became a grandfather in 2022 with the birth of Savannah’s son, Lake.
He was last seen publicly in March 2024, enjoying the Houston Rodeo alongside his children and family, including brother Shelby Blackstock and former stepmother Reba McEntire.
A Life in Music
Born into a country music dynasty — the son of manager Narvel Blackstock and former stepson of Reba McEntire — Brandon carved out a name for himself in the industry. He managed Blake Shelton for years and later became Kelly Clarkson’s manager during their marriage.
Clarkson once praised his talents in an interview with Marie Claire, saying:
“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… He’s really talented at what he does.”
A Storybook Beginning, A Painful End
Blackstock and Clarkson first met in 2006 during rehearsals for the ACM Awards but reconnected years later at the Super Bowl. The pair married in 2013, and Clarkson famously wrote her song “Piece by Piece” about the security and love she found in him after a difficult childhood.
Their marriage ended in 2020, with the divorce finalized in 2022. Clarkson later reflected:
“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.”
A Legacy of Family and Resilience
Brandon Blackstock leaves behind a complex but deeply impactful legacy — not only in the music industry but as a father, friend, and steadfast presence to those who knew him best. He is survived by his four children, one grandchild, father Narvel, and siblings Shelby, Shawna, and Chassidy.
While the full details of his illness remain private, sources close to the family suggest that more may emerge in the coming weeks — and that they will likely reveal the immense strength and quiet dignity with which he faced his final chapter.
