Brandon Blackstock, a longtime talent manager and the former husband of singer Kelly Clarkson, has passed away after a private battle with cancer. He was 48.
The news comes just one day after Kelly Clarkson revealed publicly that Brandon had been seriously ill—prompting her to cancel several of her Las Vegas residency dates.
On Thursday, Brandon’s family released a heartfelt statement confirming his death and shedding light on the quiet fight he had endured for more than three years.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away. 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 family spokesperson told People.
TMZ later reported that Brandon had been battling melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. According to the outlet, his condition had been known among staff but was never disclosed to the public out of respect for his privacy. He reportedly passed away just hours before the news was made public.
Brandon’s professional ties to the music world were well-known, particularly through his connection to country legend Reba McEntire, who is his former stepmother. But he was also a familiar name due to his high-profile marriage to Kelly Clarkson. The couple were married for seven years before divorcing in 2022 after a long and contentious legal process, including disputes over custody and finances.
Kelly and Brandon shared two children together: daughter River Rose, 11, and son Remington Alexander, 9.
The singer’s recent decision to pull back from performances now takes on new significance, with fans and supporters sending her an outpouring of love and condolences in light of the loss.
Despite their difficult separation, Brandon’s passing has prompted a wave of sympathy from both the music industry and fans alike, many of whom have praised his contributions as a manager and father.
No additional details about memorial arrangements or family plans have been released at this time. The family has requested privacy as they grieve the loss.
