Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, talent agent and her former manager, has died after a battle with cancer, his family announced on Thursday. He was 48.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” a representative said in a statement to multiple news outlets. “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.”
The announcement came a day after Clarkson revealed that she was postponing the remaining August dates of her Las Vegas residency due to Blackstock’s illness.
“Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,” Clarkson announced in a post on Instagram. “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.”
Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock attend the CMT Music Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville in 2018. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic via Getty Images)
Clarkson and Blackstock married in 2013. His father, Narvel Blackstock, previously served as Clarkson’s manager.
The couple had two children together: River Rose, their 11-year-old daughter, and Remy Alexander, their 9-year-old son. Blackstock also had two children from a previous marriage.
Clarkson filed for divorce from Blackstock in 2020. An acrimonious split followed, with the couple’s Montana ranch becoming “a point of contention” during the divorce proceedings, according to People magazine. Clarkson “was eventually awarded ownership of the property, even though Blackstock was living at the home at the time, and lost a legal fight to evict him from the ranch.”
Their divorce was finalized in 2022.
Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson attend a ceremony honoring Simon Cowell’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in August 2018. (Faye Sadou/AdMedia /MediaPunch/IPX)
In March, Clarkson stepped away from her eponymous daytime talk show for nearly two weeks while a variety of celebrities acted as guest hosts.
When Clarkson returned, she cited only “personal reasons” for her mysterious absence, which stirred speculation among fans that it could have something to do with Blackstock.
NewsNation subsequently reported that Blackstock was sick and that Clarkson skipped show tapings to take their children to see him.
Kelly Clarkson kicks off her residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on July 11. (Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Live Nation Las Vegas)
The “Since U Been Gone” singer’s remaining shows at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace this month had been scheduled for Aug. 8-9 and Aug. 15-16. Her next run at the 4,100-capacity venue, which was previously announced, is set for November.
This is the second postponement of Clarkson’s residency, which opened in July.
The first show was abruptly postponed just hours before she was set to take the stage after the singer said that she needed to rest her vocal cords.
“The prep and rehearsals have taken a toll on my voice,” Clarkson wrote on Instagram on July 4. “I want the shows to be perfect for y’all and I need to protect myself from doing serious damage.”
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