Brandon Blackstock’s relationship with ex-wife Kelly Clarkson’s former assistant Brittney Marie Jones was reportedly “the icing on the cake of the disappointment” the singer felt over the dissolution of their marriage.
A source told the Daily Mail Thursday that Blackstock — who died last Thursday at the age of 48 following a private, three-year battle with melanoma — “chose to move on with someone Kelly knew and trusted,” which “just adds to the person he ended up being to her.”
The source described Blackstock, who shared two children with Clarkson and two with his first wife, as “a great father,” but not “a great husband.”
The source made sure to stress that the “American Idol” Season 1 winner “doesn’t blame” Jones, who lived with Blackstock in Montana before his death, and wants to steer clear of any “drama from her fanbase.”
Blackstock’s relationship with Jones was revealed in his online obituary, which was published Tuesday and read in part, “Brandon, along with his beautiful and loving partner in life and business, Brittney Marie Jones, started building a life, building companies, and working tirelessly to create Headwaters Livestock Auction and what will live on as his legacy, The Valley View Rodeo in Bozeman, Montana.”
According to Jones’ LinkedIn profile, she served as Clarkson’s assistant from December 2016 to December 2018, at which time she also became an assistant for Blackstock.
Her employment with the former couple lasted until June 2020, the same month Clarkson, 43, filed for divorce from Blackstock, who served as the Grammy winner’s talent manager during their union.
The two settled their divorce in March 2022.
Clarkson never publicized the reason for the split, only citing “irreconcilable differences” in her filing. But according to the Daily Mail’s source, there was a “cause” described as “a point of no return.” The source did not elaborate.
Despite their contentious breakup, the musician was still there for Blackstock as his health declined, making sure to prioritize family time with their daughter, River, 11, and son, Remington, 9.
“When Brandon dealt more and more with his cancer, Kelly’s only goal was to make sure her kids were OK and to let him live his personal life any way he wanted to live it,” the Daily Mail’s source said.
“Kelly knew that Brittney wasn’t going to be a problem with her and her kids. There was never a misunderstanding between them.”
It’s unclear when Blackstock’s relationship with Jones turned romantic, but her father described them as “soulmates” in his Facebook tribute.
Blackstock was married to Melissa Ashworth from 2001 to 2012. Together, they welcomed daughter Savannah Lee — who is pregnant with her second child — and son Seth Blackstock.
As for Jones, she was previously married to Greg Goose LaPoint.