Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson’s Ex-Husband, Dies at 48 After Cancer Battle
Los Angeles, CA — August 8, 2025 — Brandon Blackstock, a prominent talent manager and the former husband of singer Kelly Clarkson, passed away at age 48 after a three-year battle with cancer, his family confirmed. The news, announced on August 7, came just one day after Clarkson postponed her Las Vegas residency to be with their children, citing Blackstock’s illness.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” a family representative stated. “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.” Sources indicate Blackstock was fighting melanoma, a severe form of skin cancer.
Clarkson, 43, and Blackstock, who were married from 2013 to 2022, share two children, River Rose, 11, and Remington Alexander, 9. Blackstock also leaves behind two children from his previous marriage to Melissa Ashworth, Savannah and Seth, as well as a grandson, Lake, born in 2022. On August 6, Clarkson shared 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.”
The couple’s relationship began in 2006 at a rehearsal for the Academy of Country Music Awards, where Blackstock, then married, was working as a manager. They reconnected at Super Bowl XLVI in 2012, began dating, and married in 2013. Blackstock, who managed artists like Blake Shelton and Rascal Flatts, became Clarkson’s manager, a role that later sparked legal disputes post-divorce. Their split in 2020, finalized in 2022, was contentious, involving battles over property, spousal support, and a $2.6 million judgment against Blackstock for overstepping his managerial role.
Despite their rocky divorce, Clarkson supported Blackstock during his illness, with insiders describing the situation as “exhausting and so sad” for her, noting her commitment to their children. Blackstock, the former stepson of Reba McEntire through his father Narvel Blackstock’s marriage, was last pictured looking frail at the Houston Rodeo in March 2025.
The entertainment industry mourns Blackstock’s passing, with fans and colleagues expressing condolences online. Clarkson has not yet commented publicly on his death.