Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson's Ex-Husband and Talent Manager, Dies at 48 from Cancer

Brandon Blackstock, the music talent manager known for his work with major names in the entertainment industry and as the former husband of singer Kelly Clarkson, has died at the age of 48 after a more than three-year battle with cancer.

In a statement to People, his family confirmed he passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 7, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. They praised his courage in facing the illness and asked for privacy during what they described as a “very difficult time.”

Just a day before his death, Clarkson shared news of his health struggles on Instagram, announcing that she would postpone her Las Vegas residency to focus on their two children—11-year-old River Rose and nine-year-old Remington Alexander. She expressed regret to fans for the change and hoped for their understanding.

Blackstock also leaves behind two older children, Savannah and Seth, from his previous marriage to Melissa Ashworth, as well as a grandchild, Lake. His family ties in the music world extended beyond Clarkson—his father, Narvel Blackstock, was married to country music legend Reba McEntire until 2015 and managed her career for many years. Narvel also served as Clarkson’s manager in the late 2000s.

Clarkson first met Brandon in May 2006 during rehearsals for the Academy of Country Music Awards, though he was still married at the time. They reconnected in 2012 at the Super Bowl and quickly became engaged. Clarkson announced their engagement on social media, calling it the “happiest night” of her life, and the two wed in October 2013 on a Tennessee farm.

During their marriage, Blackstock managed Clarkson’s career and also represented artists such as Blake Shelton. Clarkson credited him with bringing stability to her life, even writing her 2015 song “Piece by Piece” about the sense of security he gave her after her difficult relationship with her father.

However, in 2020—during the COVID-19 pandemic—the couple’s relationship ended when Clarkson filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. The proceedings concluded in 2022. In later interviews, Clarkson explained the decision was not sudden, but rather the result of a gradual realization that the life she had envisioned with him was no longer possible.

Blackstock’s death marks the end of a life intertwined with the music industry, defined by both personal and professional partnerships that left a lasting mark on those who knew him.