Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, was an American talent manager. Their relationship started with a 2006 meeting, but it wasn’t until 2012, after Brandon’s first marriage ended, that they reunited and started dating. However, what began as a love story eventually turned into a highly publicised court battle

Brandon Blackstock (L) and Kelly Clarkson (R)
Brandon Blackstock (L) and Kelly Clarkson (R) arrive at the 25th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on 12 January 2020 in Santa Monica, California. Photo: Steve Granitz
Source: Getty Images

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key takeaways

  • Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock met for the first time during an Academy of Country Music Awards rehearsal in May 2006.
  • Clarkson and Blackstock officially began dating in February 2012.
  • The pair married in a private ceremony on 20 October 2013, at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee.
  • Kelly Clarkson filed for divorce from Brandon Blackstock in June 2020 due to irreconcilable differences.

Brandon Blackstock’s profile summary

Full name Narvel Brandon Blackstock
Gender Male
Date of birth 16 December 1976
Date of death 7 August 2025
Age at the time of death 48 years old
Zodiac sign Sagittarius
Place of birth Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Place of death Butte, Montana, United States
Nationality American
Ethnicity White
Religion Christianity
Sexuality Straight
Height in feet 5′8″
Height in centimetres 173
Weight in pounds 165
Weight in kilograms 75
Hair colour Brown
Eye colour Blue
Marital status Divorced
Children Savannah, Seth, River Rose, Remy Blackstock
Ex-wife Kelly Clarkson
Father Narvel Blackstock
Mother Elisa Gayle Ritter
Siblings Shelby Blackstock, Chassidy Celeste Blackstock, Shawna Rene Blackstock
Profession Talent manager, producer
Net worth $10 million

Read also

Who is Shaunette Renée Wilson? Meet the talented star of The Resident and Indiana Jones

Meet Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock

Blackstock was an American producer and talent manager. He was born on 16 December 1976 in Fort Worth, Texas, United States.

He was the son of Kelly Clarkson’s former manager, Narvel Blackstock, and the former stepson of country singer Reba McEntire.

Blackstock was the executive producer of The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019–2020). He gained further recognition through his role in the 2010 television special Blake Shelton Live: It’s All About Tonight (2010).

According to E! News, Brandon Blackstock passed away in the United States on 7 August 2025 at the age of 48. His cause of death was melanoma, with the manner of death classified as natural causes.

Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson’s relationship timeline

Brandon Blackstock (L) and recording artist Kelly Clarkson (R)
Brandon Blackstock and recording artist Kelly Clarkson attend the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden on 28 January 2018 in New York City. Photo: Christopher Polk
Source: Getty Images

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock’s relationship began as a chance encounter and later evolved into a marriage and family. However, after almost seven years together, their love story ended in a public divorce. Here is a timeline of their relationship.

Read also

Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry: A 9-year relationship that never led to marriage

May 2006: Kelly and Blackstock met for the first time

The pair initially met at a rehearsal for the Academy of Country Music Awards. At the time, Brandon was still married to his first wife, Melissa Ashworth, but Kelly was immediately drawn to him. She confirmed the news to the People in 2013, saying:

I’ve only dated three other boyfriends, and not really seriously. This guy walks by, making everybody laugh. I said, ‘I’m gonna end up with him. I know it.

February 2012: The couple reconnected at the Super Bowl

Kelly and Blackstock reconnected at the Super Bowl, where Kelly sang the national anthem. Brandon’s dad, Narvel, was Kelly’s manager at the time. The couple’s first date was on 11 February 2012.

Singer Kelly Clarkson (R) and Brandon Blackstock (L)
Singer Kelly Clarkson (R) and Brandon Blackstock (L) attend the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on 10 February 2013 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Christopher Polk
Source: Getty Images

December 2012: Kelly and Blackstock got engaged

The couple got engaged in December 2012, and the television personality shared the news on X (Twitter). She wrote:

Read also

Are Brandon and Julia still together? A look at their relationship after 90 Day Fiancé

I’M ENGAGED!!!!! I wanted y’all to know!! Happiest night of my life last night! I am so lucky and am with the greatest man ever.

The actress later revealed details of the proposal to People. She remembered how they were resting at their Nashville house that evening. Clarkson recalled:

Out of nowhere I just said, thanks for being an awesome guy. I’ve never been loved properly by a man, and I was just like, I thank you so much for that… Not a clue! If I did, I would have worn something besides Uggs and a sweatshirt with no bra.

20 October 2013: Couple married at Blackberry Farm

Clarkson and Blackstock married on 20 October 2013, at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee. Blackstock served as Clarkson’s manager during their marriage.

12 June 2014: Kelly and Blackstock welcomed their first child

On 12 June 2014, the couple welcomed their daughter, River Rose. The TV personality shared the news on X (Twitter), saying:

Read also

Inside the messy Brighton Butler’s divorce and her split from Duncan

Our baby girl River Rose Blackstock arrived on June 12th! Thank you everyone for all of your well wishes! Brandon and I are on cloud 9!!

River Rose (F), Kelly Clarkson (M), Remington Alexander (R), and Brandon Blackstock (R)
River Rose (F), Kelly Clarkson (M), Remington Alexander (R), and Brandon Blackstock (R) were seen at STXfilms, which presents the World Premiere of ‘Ugly Dolls’. Photo: Eric Charbonneau
Source: Getty Images

12 April 2016: The couple welcomed their second baby

Clarkson and Blackstock welcomed their son, Remington Alexander, as their second child on 12 April 2016. Kelly took to Twitter to announce the arrival of their second child. She also uploaded several black-and-white photographs of Remington on Instagram, capturing;

Meet Remy, our newest addition to the family!

June 2020: Kelly filed for divorce from Blackstock

On 4 June 2020, the American singer filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, nearly seven years after their marriage began.

November 2020: Kelly was granted primary physical custody of their kids

Kelly Clarkson’s custody battle with her ex-partner, Brandon Blackstock, was key to their divorce proceedings. The court’s principal concern was the stability and consistency of the children’s lives.

Read also

Meet Jonathan Bennett’s husband, Jaymes Vaughan, and their love story

The singer was given primary physical custody of her two children, River Rose and Remington Alexander, by a Los Angeles County judge in November 2020. According to USA Today, the judge noted that,

The court finds that under the circumstances present in this case, the interest in providing stability and continuity for the minor children weighs in favour of Petitioner having primary custody.

August 2021: Kelly declared legally single

In August 2021, a court approved the divorce of Clarkson and Blackstock’s marriage, declaring Clarkson officially single.

Kelly Clarkson during "American Idol" Season 1 Finale - Results Show - Press Room
Kelly Clarkson during “American Idol” Season 1 Finale – Results Show – Press Room at Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California, United States. Photo: Gregg DeGuire
Source: Getty Images

March 2022: Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson’s divorce settlement

Clarkson’s divorce from Blackstock was finalised in March 2022, nearly two years after she filed. According to the Daily Mail, Kelly Clarkson’s alimony case was settled for a $1.3 million lump sum payment from Clarkson to Blackstock and monthly payments for child and spousal support.

In 2023, a California labour commissioner determined that Blackstock had exceeded his power and ordered him to reimburse Clarkson $2.6 million in fraudulently earned fees.

Read also

All about Chris Evans and Alba Baptista’s marriage and relationship timeline

FAQs

  1. Does Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock have children? The couple had two children together: River Rose and Remington Alexander.
  2. Who has custody of Kelly Clarkson’s children? Kelly has primary physical custody of her two children. Blackstock had joint legal custody and was granted visitation rights.
  3. How did Kelly Clarkson meet Brandon Blackstock? Kelly and Brandon first met in May 2006 at a rehearsal for the Academy of Country Music Awards.
  4. Why did Kelly leave her husband? The American actress filed for divorce from Brandon Blackstock in June 2020, citing irreconcilable differences.
  5. What was Brandon Blackstock’s cause of death? Brandon died from melanoma, a kind of skin cancer he had been fighting for over three years.
  6. What is Brandon Blackstock’s net worth? According to Celebrity Net Worth and Hollywood Life, Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband had an alleged net worth of $10 million at the time of his death.
  7. What is Kelly Clarkson’s net worth in 2025? According to ComingSoon, Clarkson has an alleged net worth of $50 million.

Read also

Seth Green’s net worth and how the Family Guy star built his wealth in entertainment

Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, died on 7 August 2025, aged 48, after a three-year struggle with cancer. He died in Montana, where he had lived since his divorce. The pair, who had been married for nearly seven years and have two children, River Rose and Remington, finalised their divorce in 2022.

Yen.com.gh published an article featuring Jason Hoppy, Bethenny Frankel’s ex-husband. Jason Hoppy is an entrepreneur known for marrying reality television star Bethenny Frankel.

Jason Hoppy’s marriage and tumultuous divorce put him in a different light, particularly after his former spouse accused him of intimidation before and after their separation. Read the article for more information.

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh





Source: Yen.com.gh