Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, tragically passed away last week at the age of 48 after a three year battle against cancer. The singer has rescheduled all her performing commitments to be there for the two children she shared with Blackstock, Remington, 9, and River, 10. Fans are sending well wishes her way, feeling not only for her but for her children, who have lost their father at such a young age. Keep reading for more information.
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Kelly Clarkson's Ex-Husband Passes Away
After a three-year battle with cancer, Brandon Blackstock passed away on August 7, 2025. According to sources, Blackstock received his diagnosis shortly after their divorce was finalized, and has been facing it privately. The source, speaking to People, revealed that Kelly has made her children her biggest priority throughout their divorce, his cancer battle, and now, his tragic passing.
"When she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake," the source explained. "Kelly has always tried to keep things classy. It became clear earlier this year that Brandon was not doing well. She’s been devastated for the kids."
Their two shared children have always been of the utmost importance, even during their messy divorce proceedings. "The divorce was incredibly difficult for her — messy, painful and something she felt terrible about," the source continued. "But she always wanted her kids to have the best relationship possible with their dad. She never spoke poorly about Brandon to the kids."
Messy Divorce
Kelly and Brandon divorced in March 2022, and it wasn't an easy process. Lots of lawsuits occurred, Kelly moved across the country, and they had to navigate a new relationship: co-parenting. Though they seemed to have patched things up in terms of a friendly relationship in the later months of Kelly's life, it wasn't always so seamless.
Blackstock was a producer and executive, and was Kelly’s manager for a portion of their marriage. Following their divorce, the pair sued one another—Blackstock wanting large sums in spousal support payments, among other things, and Kelly wanting to right the wrongs of Blackstock's management company, Starstruck Entertainment.
According to reports, the lawsuit filed in a Los Angeles court argues that Starstruck violated state labor rules by acting as unlicensed talent agents. According to Billboard, Clarkson is seeking a return of "any and all commissions, fees, profits, advances, producing fees or other monies" she paid to Starstruck, but this time the claim is being extended all the way back to 2007, whereas the previous case was only back to 2017.
Rolling Stone obtained a copy of Clarkson's filing, which read: "Based on the wrongful acts and conduct of Starstruck, all agreements between the parties, should be declared void and unenforceable, no monies should be paid by cross-complainants to Starstruck, and all monies previously paid by cross-complainants to Starstruck should be disgorged from Starstruck, forthwith."
