Simply heartbreaking.
Yesterday, Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband and well-known leisure expertise supervisor, has sadly handed away at 48. He was the daddy to her two younger youngsters River, 11, and Remington, 9, and he additionally had two grownup youngsters from a earlier marriage, Savannah and Seth. He turned a grandfather in 2022 when his eldest little one Savannah gave start to a son, Lake.
Blackstock was additionally the stepson of Reba McEntire, as Reba was married to Brandon’s father, Narvel Blackstock, for a few years, from 1989 to 2015.
A rep for the household gave a press release to PEOPLE, confirming his passing and saying he had been battling most cancers (melanoma) for “greater than three years.” Additionally they thanked the followers for his or her ideas and prayers, and requested for privateness throughout this very tough time:
“It’s with nice disappointment that we share the information that Brandon Blackstock has handed away. Brandon bravely battled most cancers for greater than three years. He handed away peacefully and was surrounded by household. We thanks to your ideas and prayers and ask everybody to respect the household’s privateness throughout this very tough time.”
Only a couple days in the past Clarkson revealed Blackstock had been sick, and she or he postponed her Las Vegas residency to spend time with their youngsters. She didn’t disclose in-detail what occurred, however stated in a press release that Blackstock was merely “in poor health”:
“Whereas I usually hold my private life non-public, this previous yr, my youngsters’s father has been in poor health and at this second, I must be absolutely current for them. I’m sincerely sorry to everybody who purchased tickets to the exhibits and that i so recognize your grace, kindness and understanding.”
The 2 of them went by a nasty divorce a number of years in the past, as Clarkson filed for divorce from Blackstock again in 2020. They lastly settled their divorce in 2022 after a longtime custody battle over their two youngsters, although the battle made headlines for years and it appeared as if they weren’t on good phrases, clearly.
Clarkson and Blackstock have been married from 2013 till 2022, they usually first met in 2006 at a rehearsal for the Academy of Nation Music Awards, when Blackstock was working as Rascal Flatts’ tour supervisor. Six years later, they reconnected on the Tremendous Bowl and started courting. Blackstock later turned Blake Shelton’s supervisor, in addition to Clarkson’s whereas they have been collectively.
In 2018, she instructed Marie Claire that she was impressed by Blackstock’s expertise and she or he would’ve employed him no matter in the event that they have been in a romantic relationship or not:
“I wouldn’t have employed Brandon to be my supervisor if I didn’t see first-hand how nice he’s at that and the way a lot he cares about Blake. And the way in which that [Blake’s] profession has blown up, I’d have employed Brandon regardless. He’s actually gifted at what he does and his thoughts actually does work in a very completely different means.”
However regardless that they went by a tough patch after they have been splitting up, it appears like Clarkson was in a position to put aside her destructive emotions in the direction of her ex and stepped as much as maintain him. A supply instructed Web page Six that Clarkson has been taking care of him whereas attempting to work and hold her residency, in addition to common daytime TV present, alive. They defined that Blackstock was “the person she beloved” and nonetheless the daddy to her youngsters:
“It’s been exhausting and so unhappy… Kelly has been working so exhausting, in addition to taking care of Brandon. Regardless of their tough divorce, he’s nonetheless the person she beloved and nonetheless her children’ father.”
Kelly all the time comes throughout as such a candy, down-to-earth girl, and so it doesn’t shock me that she was caring for Blackstock, regardless that she was underneath no obligation to take action. It doesn’t matter what went down between them, it’s clear she actually beloved him, and I can solely think about how exhausting it will be for his youngsters to grieve this loss.
He was shut together with his stepmom, Reba, who was in his life since he was simply 13 years previous when she married Brandon’s father, Narvel. Brandon’s youthful brother, Shelby Blackstock, Reba’s solely organic little one, shared an extremely unhappy submit at the moment concerning the lack of his brother and the way unhappy it has been for his or her household. He referred to as it a “great loss,” and spoke about how a lot he realized from his large brother and what their bond meant to him:
“Phrases can not start to seize the great loss our household has endured. Yesterday, we misplaced a brother, a father, a grandfather, and a son. Brandon Blackstock was an irreplaceable a part of our household—humorous, shiny, and lively—and he will likely be deeply missed.
He taught me a lot, forsaking numerous cherished recollections that I’ll maintain onto perpetually. For each treasured second we shared, there are such a lot of extra we’ll by no means get to make collectively, however I do know you’ll nonetheless be there. Each hunt, each flight, and within the on a regular basis moments of life, I’ll really feel your presence.
And though it might annoy you, you’ll have to observe me do all of it just a bit higher, somewhat smoother, and —let’s be trustworthy— trying way more good-looking than you ever may within the course of. We are going to all the time miss you, Brandon, and we’ll by no means cease loving, remembering and celebrating you.”
It’s all simply so unhappy, nevertheless it’s clear how a lot Brandon meant to these closest to him.
