Last Updated on 2 months by Vijay Kumar
Brandon Blackstock (1976?–August 7, 2025) was a prominent American talent manager best known as Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband and longtime manager. A pivotal figure in contemporary country and pop music, he was also the stepson of country legend Reba McEntire.
| Full Name | Brandon Blackstock |
| Born | 1976 (approx.) |
| Died | August 7, 2025 |
| Occupation | Talent manager / music industry executive |
| Known for | Manager in the country/pop music world; former manager and ex-husband of Kelly Clarkson; worked with artists including Blake Shelton |
| Parents | Narvel Blackstock (father), Elysa Gayle Ritter (mother) |
| Stepmother | Reba McEntire |
| Spouse(s) | Melissa Ashworth (previous marriage); Kelly Clarkson (m. 2013 — div. finalized 2022) |
| Children | Savannah and Seth (from prior marriage); River Rose (b. 2014) and Remington Alexander (b. 2016) with Kelly Clarkson |
| Notable facts | Grew up in a music-management family (father founded Starstruck); remained largely behind the scenes as a manager; publicly battled cancer for several years before his death. |
| Sources / Further reading |
People | Southern Living | Decider | WBALTV |
Early life
Brandon Blackstock was born to music manager Narvel Blackstock and Elysa Gayle Ritter, growing up deeply connected to the entertainment industry through his father’s work with major country music stars. His life took a significant turn when his father married country legend Reba McEntire in 1989, making her his stepmother and exposing him even more to the world of music and celebrity. Raised in this high-profile environment, Brandon developed an early familiarity with the business side of the industry, which later influenced his own career path in talent management.
Career
Brandon Blackstock built a successful career in the music industry as a talent manager, following in the footsteps of his father, Narvel Blackstock, who founded the management company Starstruck Entertainment. Over the years, he represented and worked closely with major artists, including Blake Shelton, and later managed his then-wife, Kelly Clarkson, playing a role in her professional projects and even serving as an executive producer on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Known for his behind-the-scenes influence rather than seeking the spotlight, Brandon was respected in country and pop music circles for his industry knowledge and ability to guide artists’ careers.
Personal life
Brandon Blackstock, son of music manager Narvel Blackstock and stepson of country legend Reba McEntire, lived much of his life intertwined with the entertainment industry. He married singer Kelly Clarkson in 2013 after the two reconnected at the Super Bowl the previous year, and together they had two children—daughter River Rose (2014) and son Remington Alexander (2016). Brandon also had two older children, Savannah and Seth, from his previous marriage to Melissa Ashworth, and became a grandfather in 2022. His marriage to Clarkson ended in a highly publicized divorce in 2022 after legal disputes over management commissions, but despite the public scrutiny, he maintained a focus on his family, spending his later years largely out of the spotlight.
Death
Brandon Blackstock died on August 7, 2025, at the age of 48, after privately battling cancer for more than three years a struggle that was kept out of the public eye until shortly before his passing. Surrounded by loved ones, he passed away peacefully, as confirmed by a family representative who requested privacy during “this very difficult time.” His death came just months after ex-wife Kelly Clarkson postponed her Las Vegas residency to spend more time with their children, citing his illness. The news drew an outpouring of condolences from the music industry and fans who remembered him as both a respected talent manager and a devoted father.
His family announced his death news, “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” the statement read. “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.”
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