A rep for the talent manager’s family shared the news of his death in a statement to People. It said, “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.”
The news of Brandon’s death came just a day after his ex-wife, Kelly Clarkson, revealed that he was “ill” and that she was postponing her Las Vegas residency to be “present” for their children. She and Brandon were married from 2013 to 2022 and share two children: River Rose, 11, and Remington Alexander, 9. Brandon also has two kids, Seth and Savannah, from his previous marriage to Melissa Ashworth.
Brandon was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and was the son of entertainment manager Narvel Blackstock and the former stepson of Reba McEntire. He got his start working at his father’s company, Starstruck Entertainment, where Brandon reportedly managed artists such as Rascal Flatts and Blake Shelton.
He first crossed paths with Kelly in May 2006 while attending a rehearsal for the Academy of Country Music Awards. Kelly recalled him “making everybody laugh” and thinking, “‘I’m gonna end up with him. I know it.'” And sure enough, they eventually started dating in 2012.
At the time, Kelly was being managed by his father, and after they wed in 2013, Brandon started managing her.
His artist, Blake, actually claimed to be the one who got Brandon to propose to Kelly. He told Hollyscoop (via HuffPost), “I told Brandon, ‘Man, you need to grow up and you figure out that you need to marry this girl.” Blake said, “I am going on the record saying, I will do the music at the wedding or whatever you want to do, I’ll be that guy. I will play for four hours if I have to, ’cause you need to get you[r] head out of your ass and ask that girl to marry you.”
Seven years later, Kelly filed for divorce from Brandon, citing irreconcilable differences. Their split was finalized in 2022.
