Brandon Blackstock, longtime talent manager and former husband of singer Kelly Clarkson, has died following a more than three-year battle with cancer. He was 48.
The news was confirmed Thursday by Starstruck Entertainment, the management company founded by Blackstock’s father, Narvel.
“Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family,” the company said in a statement shared on Instagram. “We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
Clarkson Postponed Las Vegas Shows to Be With Family
Just a day before the announcement, Clarkson revealed she was postponing her August dates for her Las Vegas residency, citing her children’s father’s illness.
“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,” she wrote on Instagram. “I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”
The singer had four remaining August performances in her Studio Sessions series at Caesars Palace, with plans to resume in November. Earlier this summer, she had also delayed the start of her residency due to vocal strain.
Career in Music Management
Blackstock, who was married to Clarkson from 2013 until their divorce in 2020, was not only her husband but also her manager for part of her career. He managed major acts including Blake Shelton, who remains a Starstruck client.
“I wouldn’t have hired Brandon to be my manager if I didn’t see first-hand how great he is at that and how much he cares about [Blake Shelton],” Clarkson told Marie Claire in 2018.
The pair first met in 2006 at a rehearsal for the Academy of Country Music Awards. Clarkson later said she knew instantly, “I’m gonna end up with him. I know it.”
Personal and Musical Legacy
Clarkson’s 2015 ballad Piece by Piece was inspired by her relationship with Blackstock, portraying him as a stark contrast to her father. After their split, she reinterpreted the song’s lyrics in live performances, later reflecting in a 2023 interview that the track had been “very hopeful” at the time but ultimately didn’t reflect the reality of their marriage.
Her 2023 album Chemistry contains the song Me, which alludes to moving on from the themes of Piece by Piece:
“I don’t need somebody to pick these pieces up… I put together my broken.”
Survivors
Blackstock is survived by his two children with Clarkson, two children from a previous marriage, and one grandchild.
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