Brandon Blackstock, the former husband and manager of pop superstar Kelly Clarkson, passed away on August 7, 2025, at the age of 48 after a private three-year battle with cancer. His final months were spent in the serene solitude of his $1.8 million Montana ranch, a place where he felt most at home, surrounded by family and the rustic life he had grown to love. Blackstock’s quiet retreat from the spotlight, his devotion to his children, and his struggle with a devastating illness paint a poignant picture of a man who sought peace and connection in his last days.
Born on December 16, 1976, in Fort Worth, Texas, Blackstock was immersed in the music industry from an early age. His father, Narvel Blackstock, founded Starstruck Entertainment, a prominent talent management firm that guided the careers of artists like Blake Shelton and Rascal Flatts. Brandon followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a talent manager and later CEO of the company. His stepmother, country music legend Reba McEntire, embraced him as her own son, a bond that remained unbroken even after her 2015 divorce from Narvel. Blackstock’s career saw him manage high-profile artists, but it was his personal life—particularly his marriage to Kelly Clarkson—that thrust him into the public eye.
Blackstock met Clarkson in 2006 during rehearsals for the Academy of Country Music Awards, introduced through his client, Blake Shelton. Their connection sparked instantly, though they didn’t begin dating until 2012. After a whirlwind romance, they married in October 2013 at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee, a union that seemed to blend love and ambition seamlessly. Blackstock became Clarkson’s manager, playing a pivotal role in her career, including the launch of her Emmy-winning daytime talk show, “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” The couple welcomed two children, daughter River Rose in June 2014 and son Remington “Remy” Alexander in April 2016. Clarkson often spoke of Blackstock’s stabilizing influence, reflected in her heartfelt 2015 song “Piece by Piece,” which celebrated his role as a devoted father in contrast to her own absent one.
Blackstock also brought two children from his previous marriage to Melissa Ashworth (2001-2012): daughter Savannah, born in 2001, and son Seth, born in 2006. The blended family appeared close, often seen together at events like the 2017 American Music Awards or the 2019 premiere of “UglyDolls.” Savannah, now a realtor in Florida, shared a particularly tight bond with her father, spending significant time with him in his final months.
The unraveling of Blackstock and Clarkson’s marriage began during the 2020 COVID-19 quarantine, spent at their Montana ranch. Intended as a time for family bonding, the isolation instead highlighted irreconcilable differences. Clarkson filed for divorce in June 2020, sparking a contentious legal battle over custody, finances, and their Montana property. The divorce was finalized in March 2022, with Clarkson gaining primary custody of their children and agreeing to substantial spousal and child support payments. Reflecting on the split, Clarkson later shared that it was a painful but necessary decision for her family’s well-being, driven by her commitment to her children’s happiness.
After the divorce, Blackstock stepped away from the glitz of the entertainment world, settling into a quieter life in Montana. He purchased a $1.8 million ranch in Butte in April 2022, where he embraced a new chapter running Valley View Rodeo, a venture he co-founded with Clarkson’s former assistant, Brittany Jones. The ranch and rodeo became his sanctuary, a place where he could escape the pressures of his former life in Los Angeles and Nashville. Insiders described him as someone who thrived in Montana’s tranquility, far from the spotlight he once shared with Clarkson. “Brandon lived a pretty quiet life in Montana. That was how he liked it,” a source close to him noted. “Even though he worked in entertainment in the past, that was not his personality. He was at home in Montana.”
In 2022, shortly after his divorce, Blackstock received a devastating cancer diagnosis, believed to be melanoma, though the family never publicly confirmed the specifics. For over three years, he fought the illness privately, maintaining a low profile while focusing on his health and family. His condition took a severe turn in the last year, particularly in early 2025, when his health deteriorated rapidly. Despite this, Blackstock prioritized time with his children and grandson, Lake, born to Savannah in January 2022. Family became his anchor, with sources noting that he spent more time with his loved ones in the final six months than ever before.
Savannah, in particular, was a constant presence, described as being “with him almost all the time.” Her closeness with her father was evident in their shared passion for animals and rural life. Blackstock also cherished visits from River and Remy, facilitated by Clarkson, who, despite their strained history, ensured their children could be with their father during his illness. While Clarkson did not personally care for Blackstock, she made frequent trips to Montana with the kids, prioritizing their bond with him. This effort was especially significant in March 2025, when Clarkson took a nearly two-week hiatus from “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” with guest hosts filling in as she attended to private family matters.
Blackstock’s final public appearance came in March 2025 at the Houston Rodeo, captured in photos shared by his half-brother, Shelby Blackstock. Dressed in a black cowboy hat, denim jacket, and checkered shirt, Blackstock appeared thinner but still engaged, smiling alongside Shelby, Reba McEntire, and her partner, Rex Linn. The outing, which included watching McEntire perform, was a cherished family moment. Shelby’s Instagram caption described it as a time of “family, rodeo, and corn dogs,” with McEntire’s concert as “the icing on the cake.” These images, showing Blackstock laughing at arcade games and hugging loved ones, belied the gravity of his condition, leaving those close to him shocked when his health declined soon after.
In his final months, Blackstock’s Montana ranch became a haven for reflection and connection. He surrounded himself with his animals, a passion he shared with Savannah, and immersed himself in the rodeo community. Some former colleagues from Starstruck Entertainment even relocated to Montana to work with him on Valley View Rodeo, a testament to his influence and loyalty. Despite his frail appearance—described as thin but still recognizable—Blackstock remained active, traveling and engaging with his family until his health no longer allowed it.
On August 6, 2025, the day before his passing, Clarkson announced the postponement of her Las Vegas residency, citing the need to be “fully present” for her children during their father’s illness. The next day, Blackstock died peacefully at his ranch, surrounded by family. His death came as a shock to many, as he had kept his battle private, and even recent sightings suggested he was managing. “He looked okay a few months back,” a source said. “He was thin, but he looked like himself. No one can believe it.”
The entertainment community mourned Blackstock’s loss, with tributes from McEntire, Shelton, and others highlighting his impact as a manager and family man. Clarkson, navigating the complex grief of losing an ex-spouse, was said to be devastated for her children. She has spoken openly about the emotional toll of their divorce, describing it as a period of intense depression eased only by her music. Blackstock’s death added another layer to her healing, underscoring the enduring connection they shared through their children.
Blackstock leaves behind a legacy of family devotion and professional achievement. Survived by his children—Savannah, Seth, River, and Remy—grandson Lake, parents Narvel and Elisa, and siblings Shelby, Shawna, and Chassidy, he is remembered as a man who found his truest self in Montana’s wide-open spaces. His final days, though marked by illness, were filled with love and the quiet beauty of the life he built. As his family moves forward, they carry his words: “Live strong and cherish family,” a guiding light through their grief.
