Latest news with #StarstruckEntertainment
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Brandon Blackstock cause of death: Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband died of melanoma, coroner says
"Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years," his family said in a statement. Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband, talent agent and her former manager, died at his home in Butte, Mont., after a battle with cancer, his family announced on Aug. 7. He was 48. The type of cancer was not initially disclosed. But a coroner told People magazine that the cause of death was melanoma, a form of skin cancer. "It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away," a representative for his family said in a statement to multiple news outlets. "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 announcement of his death came a day after Clarkson revealed that she was postponing the remaining August dates of her Las Vegas residency due to Blackstock's illness. 'Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,' Clarkson announced in a post on Instagram. 'While I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children's father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them.' Clarkson and Blackstock married in 2013. The couple had two children together: River Rose, their 11-year-old daughter, and Remy Alexander, their 9-year-old son. Blackstock also had two children from a previous marriage. According to People magazine, his eldest daughter, 23-year-old Savannah Blackstock Lee, revealed in July that she is expecting her second child early next year. Blackstock was the former stepson of Reba McEntire, who was married to his father, Narvel Blackstock, from 1989 to 2015, and is the mother of Brandon's half-brother, Shelby. Narvel Blackstock, who owns the Nashville-based talent agency Starstruck Entertainment, previously served as Clarkson's manager. Brandon Blackstock formerly represented Blake Shelton and Rascal Flatts in addition to Clarkson. Clarkson filed for divorce from Blackstock in 2020. An acrimonious split followed, with the couple's Montana ranch becoming "a point of contention" during the divorce proceedings, according to People magazine. Clarkson "was eventually awarded ownership of the property, even though Blackstock was living at the home at the time, and lost a legal fight to evict him from the ranch." Their divorce was finalized in 2022. In March, Clarkson stepped away from her eponymous daytime talk show for nearly two weeks while a variety of celebrities acted as guest hosts. When Clarkson returned, she cited only 'personal reasons' for her mysterious absence, which stirred speculation among fans that it could have something to do with Blackstock. NewsNation subsequently reported that Blackstock was sick and that Clarkson skipped show tapings to take their children to see him. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It typically starts on skin that's often exposed to the sun, and can be treated successfully if it is found early. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 100,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma in the United States each year. Clarkson's remaining shows at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace this month had been scheduled for Aug. 8-9 and Aug. 15-16. Her next run at the 4,100-capacity venue, which was previously announced, is set for November. This is the second postponement of Clarkson's residency, which opened in July. The first show was abruptly postponed just hours before she was set to take the stage after the singer said that she needed to rest her vocal cords. "The prep and rehearsals have taken a toll on my voice," Clarkson wrote on Instagram on July 4. "I want the shows to be perfect for y'all and I need to protect myself from doing serious damage."
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Inside Kelly Clarkson's ex Brandon Blackstock's heartbreaking final days before his shock death at 48
Brandon Blackstock, the former husband of Kelly Clarkson, spent his final months surrounded by the peace and quiet of Montana — the place he felt most 'at home.' Following the end of their decade-long relationship, Blackstock, who once managed Clarkson's career, purchased a $1.8 million property in Butte, Montana, just weeks after their divorce was finalized in 2022. 'Brandon lived a pretty quiet life in Montana. That was how he liked it,' a source told Us Weekly. 'Even though he worked in entertainment in the past, that was not his personality. He was at home in Montana.' Blackstock's entertainment career began with Starstruck Entertainment — the company owned by his father, Narvel Blackstock. Later, Brandon shifted his focus to a new venture in Montana, founding Valley View Rodeo. 'He had his ranch and rodeo, but he preferred to go under the radar,' the source added. 'Some of the people who worked with him at Starstruck [Entertainment] ended up moving to Montana to work on the rodeo with him.' According to the insider, Blackstock was still living on his ranch when his health 'took a very bad turn' over the past year. While undergoing treatment, he made family his top priority, spending 'more [time] than ever before' with loved ones during the last six months of his life. Although Clarkson 'was not caring for Brandon,' the source said she made sure their children had plenty of quality time with their father. 'She did spend a lot of time traveling with her kids to be with him,' the insider shared. Blackstock passed away on Thursday, August 7, at the age of 48, after a private three-year battle with cancer. He and Clarkson shared two children — daughter River Rose, 11, and son Remington 'Remy' James, 9. He was also father to daughter Savannah, 23, and son Seth from his first marriage to Melissa Ashworth. Savannah, who became a mother herself in 2022 when she welcomed her son Lake, 'was with him almost all the time,' the source revealed. 'She has been having an incredibly difficult time. They were very close. Everyone is in shock.' In the months before his death, Blackstock continued to travel and stay active. 'Even a few months back he looked okay. He looked thin but he looked like himself. No one can believe it,' the insider noted. The source emphasized that, above all, Blackstock cherished his role as a father, grandfather and was a devoted family man. 'He loved having his family with him and loved when the kids would visit,' said the source. 'He loved his animals and that was a passion he shared with his daughter Savannah.' Blackstock and Clarkson began dating in 2012, before tying the knot in October 2013. The former couple were married for nearly seven years before she filed for divorce in June 2020. Earlier this week, a source told Us Weekly that Clarkson was focusing on putting her children first following their dad's death. 'It has been draining, exhausting, emotional [and] devastating,' a source told US Weekly. 'A big part of it was making her schedule available for transporting the children to visit Brandon, and all of the emotions that came with this difficult time,' the insider revealed, referencing the Stronger singer's efforts to take her children to Montana where their dad had been living. 'Kelly is a workhorse. Hard work is all she knows,' the source said of the Grammy winner's work ethic. 'She hates disappointing people, truly. The thing that kept her going was knowing how many people depend on her, like her crews and employees.' 'Her kids will come first, and she will find a way,' the source explained. 'She loves her work, but nothing compares to a situation like this.' Amid their grief, Clarkson's former in-laws have been rallying around the children. 'Thankfully, the Blackstocks have come really close together in this time, so they would be happy to be there for the kids,' the source said. The insider pointed out losing Blackstock as a co-parent will take its toll. 'She has family and friends, but at the end of the day, it's all on her.' Clarkson missed 10 show tapings in March for 'personal reasons' while celebrity friends such as Brooke Shields and Andy Cohen filled in for her. Blackstock became her manager in 2017, and negotiated lucrative deals for his wife to appear on The Voice and to host her own eponymous talk show. However, they separated in 2020 and after a lot of ugly give and take, finalized their divorce in 2022. 'The irony is that he's had a very positive influence on her life; he made these phenomenal deals for her, and she wouldn't be here without him. But it's hard to be a manager and a husband,' an industry insider told Page Six. 'At the time, she greatly appreciated what he had done for her career,' they added. 'Everything between Kelly and Brandon was stressful and intense and, like, one match away from a powder keg going off when it came to those ongoing negotiations,' the source told the outlet. 'And trying to keep the kids stable in the midst of all that is just hugely exhausting and draining.'
News18
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson's Former Manager And Ex-Husband, Passes Away At 48
Last Updated: Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband, died at 48 after battling cancer. He managed artists like Rascal Flatts and Blake Shelton. Brandon Blackstock, who managed artists and was once married to singer Kelly Clarkson, has died at the age of 48 after a lengthy fight with cancer. The family confirmed the news to People, asking for privacy at this difficult time. Brandon Blackstock dies of cancer 'It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away," a representative for the family told People. '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." When Clarkson postponed her Las Vagas residency Clarkson postponed the remaining dates of her Las Vegas residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace as Blackstock's health declined. 'While I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children's father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them," she wrote in a statement issued less than 24 hours before Blackstock's death was revealed. 'I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows, and I so appreciate your grace, kindness, and understanding." Blackstock and Clarkson first crossed paths in 2006 at a rehearsal for the Academy of Country Music Awards, but their romantic relationship began in February 2012. They became engaged in December 2012 and married on Oct. 20, 2013. The couple had two children together: daughter River Rose, born in June 2014, and son Remington Alexander, born in April 2016. Blackstock also had two older children, son Seth and daughter Savannah, from his marriage to Melissa Ashworth; that marriage ended in 2012. Professionally, Brandon Blackstock came from a music-business family. He was the son of Narvel Blackstock, who founded Starstruck Entertainment in 1988, and the stepson of country star Reba McEntire. McEntire announced a marital and professional split from Narvel in 2015 after 35 years of working together. Their marriage ended when Clarkson filed for divorce on June 4, 2020. In November 2020, a judge granted Clarkson primary custody of their two children, citing an 'increased" 'level of conflict between the parents." Subsequent court rulings addressed financial claims between the former spouses. A judge later ordered that Blackstock receive nearly $200,000 a month in spousal and child support after he had asked for $436,000. Separate legal disputes over commissions from his work at Starstruck Management persisted for years. In November 2023, a California labor commissioner ruled that Blackstock must repay Clarkson $2.6 million in commissions he had earned while representing her. The ruling said those deals should have been handled by her Creative Artists Agency team and noted: 'Under the Talent Agencies Act (TAA), a manager, like any person without a talent agency license, cannot procure or attempt to procure employment for artists." The ruling cited deals he negotiated for Clarkson with The Voice, Norwegian Cruise Line, Wayfair and the Billboard Music Awards; her contract with 'The Kelly Clarkson Show" was not included in the decision. Remaining lawsuits between the former spouses were resolved in the spring of 2024, leading to the cancellation of a planned fall trial. The terms of that settlement were not made public. On the creative front, Clarkson channeled much of the relationship's arc into her 2023 concept album Chemistry. 'All of it was written two, three years ago," she told Variety in 2023. 'It was very important for me to not just have a divorce album. I wanted an entire relationship to be covered. You listen to 'Magic' and it's like, 'Man, I'm willing to do this for you. Like, we all have our own damage. I have mine too; I'll share mine, you share yours; we can do this.' It's every stage of a relationship, and that was very important to me, rather than just having a breakup album." Who was Brandon Blackstock? Brandon Blackstock was also a TV producer. He was born on December 16, 1976, in Fort Worth, Texas, to music manager Narvel Blackstock and producer Elisa Gayle Ritter. After his parents divorced in 1988, his father married country star Reba McEntire in 1989, making her Brandon's stepmother. Growing up in a family deeply involved in entertainment, Brandon later followed the same path. He managed artists like Rascal Flatts and Blake Shelton and worked at his father's company, Starstruck Entertainment. He is survived by his four children. The family has requested privacy as they mourn. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New York Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Reba McEntire's connection to Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson's late ex, explained
Reba McEntire has a surprising connection to the late Brandon Blackstock. The singer, 70, was married to Blackstock's dad, Narvel, 68, from 1989 to 2015. The exes share one son, race car driver Shelby. Advertisement 12 Brandon Blackstock poses with his family. shelbyblackstock/Instagram Narvel shares Blackstock, Chassidy, and Shawna with his ex-wife, Elisa Gayle Ritter. In 2010, McEntire told The Boot, 'I don't consider Brandon, Chassidy and Shawna [Blackstock] stepchildren. I claim them all.' Advertisement Blackstock died at age 48 on August 7 after a private cancer battle. 12 Shelby Blackstock shares pictures from a family outing. shelbyblackstock/Instagram In March, McEntire and Blackstock got together, along with his daughter Savannah, who's in her 20s, her husband and kids, and stepbrother Shelby, 35, and other relatives. 'Family time, the @rodeohouston, & corn dogs! We had a blast in Houston watching @rissablackstock experience her first rodeo & being able to spend cherished time with family! Mom's concert was the icing on the cake!' the race car driver captioned his Instagram post. Advertisement After her first divorce from wrestling champion Charlie Battles in 1979, McEntire struck up a romance with Narvel, who was her tour manager. The two co-founded Starstruck Entertainment in 1988 and married soon after. 12 Shelby Blackstock, Reba McEntire, Brandon Blackstock, Savannah Blackstock and family at the rodeo. shelbyblackstock/Instagram McEntire and Narvel announced their separation after 26 years of marriage in a statement shared on her website in 2015. 'Despite this being the end of their marriage, they continue to support each other,' the message read. 'They have worked together for 35 years and will continue to do so. They have asked that you respect their privacy during this time.' Advertisement Narvel ended up with a whopping $47.5 million divorce settlement, while McEntire got total control of the management of her career, according to Us Weekly. 12 Pictures from the Blackstock family outing. shelbyblackstock/Instagram During a 2024 appearance on 'The Drew Barrymore Show,' McEntire revealed her relationship with her ex was anything but romantic. 'It was a situation that was always business,' she confessed. 'Whether we were getting ready in the morning, pillow talk, whatever, but it was business.' Blackstock, meanwhile, was married to Kelly Clarkson from 2013 to 2022. They share kids River, 11, and Remy, 9. Narvel was originally the singer's manager, but Blackstock took over after they tied the knot. 12 Narvel Blackstock and Reba McEntire in 2014. Jason Merritt In 2018, three years after McEntire and Narvel split, she shared where she stood with her stepson's kids. 'I don't ever see the grandkids,' the actress admitted during an interview with People. 'It was a lot better when everybody was not so busy, but I've got seven grandchildren, so they're scattered all over the country and busy doing stuff. But I love them.' Advertisement Two years later, McEntire, who found love again in 2020 with actor Rex Linn, weighed in on Clarkson, 43, filing for divorce from Blackstock in 2020. 12 Narvel Blackstock and Reba McEntire attend the 2014 American Country Countdown Awards. Christopher Polk The 'I'm a Survivor' artist revealed that her own split from Narvel never changed her relationship with the late star. 'Brandon's been my son forever, it seems,' she told Entertainment Tonight at the time. 'Although he's my stepson, I still love him like he's my total — my blood, so I'm praying for them both because I love them both.' Advertisement In December 2023, McEntire shared that her happiness stems from all members of her family. 'I'm at a really good place in my life,' she gushed to People. 'I'm happy, I'm in love. My kids are all healthy. My family's healthy. So I'm happy.' 12 Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire. MJT/AdMedia / McEntire and Clarkson stayed thick as thieves during their breakups from their respective husbands. Advertisement In 2019, the 'You Lie' songstress came on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show,' where Clarkson told her, 'I ended up marrying your oldest son and you got stuck with me more.' McEntire sweetly responded, 'Thank goodness, thank goodness.' Then, in 2023, they both appeared on Season 23 of 'The Voice.' McEntire served as a mega mentor alongside Clarkson, who was a judge. 12 Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson. Getty Images for FIJI Water Advertisement Meanwhile, in June 2023, Clarkson appeared on 'Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen' and confirmed McEntire's sentiment. 'We were friends before [Brandon and I] even got together. I think we're both women of sound mind that know that life doesn't work out sometimes. I mean, well, she would know best,' she teased. 'It's literally the same thing. So, yeah, no hard feelings there, just feelings.' When it came to her relationship with Blackstock, things were more complicated. 12 Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson at the 2017 American Music Awards. Getty Images for dcp In November 2020, Clarkson was awarded temporary primary physical custody of River and Remy. According to court documents, 'the level of conflict between the parents [had] increased' and that they had 'a difficult time co-parenting due to issues of trust between them.' A month later, Clarkson alleged that Blackstock acted fraudulently as her manager. He denied defrauding his estranged wife out of millions. 12 Kelly Clarkson gives Brandon Blackstock a kiss. WireImage In March 2022, a judge approved the exes' divorce settlement, granting Blackstock $115,000 each month in spousal support until January 2024. The talent manager also received a monthly amount of $45,600 in child support. The mom-of-two also said to Entertainment Tonight that the 'thing that's been kind of hard to navigate is I am an open book, but at some point I'm a mama bear more than I am a person in the public eye.' Clarkson added, 'So I care 100% more about my children than I do anything else on this planet.' 12 Narvel Blackstock, singers Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock. Michael Buckner 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' eventually relocated from Los Angeles to New York City in 2023, with the host bringing her children with her. 'The move to NYC was a fresh start for her that she has never regretted,' an insider told People in 2024. 'She had not been happy in Los Angeles for a while but was still nervous about moving. It was the best decision for her though. They thrive as a family.' Blackstock, meanwhile, resided in Butte, Mont., after moving out of the family's original Montana ranch. On Thursday, news of Blackstock's passing broke, with sources telling TMZ he had melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. 12 Reba McEntire, Warner Music Nashville's President and CEO John Espositio, Blake Shelton, Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson attend Warner Music Group Grammy Celebration. Getty Images for InStyle '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,' his family said in a statement obtained by The Post read. '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,' they concluded.
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Brandon Blackstock's daughter Savannah Blackstock Lee revealed pregnancy just a month before his death
Kelly Clarkson's stepdaughter had revealed her pregnancy just a few weeks before her father Brandon Blackstock's death. Brandon is Kelly's former husband and the father of her two children, River and Remington Blackstock. They were together from 2012 to 2022. He had Savannah Blackstock Lee and Seth Blackstock with his first wife, Melissa Ashworth, who he was married to from 2001 until 2012. Brandon died following a three-year battle with cancer, his representative said on Thursday. He was 48. 'It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,' a spokesperson for Blackstock said in a statement. '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.' Savannah Blackstock Lee, 23, shared on July 5 that she is expecting a second child with her husband, as reported by People. The announcement came just one month before her father's death. 'We've been keeping a couple sweet surprises,' she wrote in a post on her now-private Instagram account. 'One little girl will be making her arrival at the beginning of January and another beautiful girl named Julianna who has already been one of the greatest blessings to our family.' Kelly announced on Wednesday that she was postponing the rest of her Studio Session concerts in Las Vegas this month to support her family. The American Idol star told fans on Instagram that she was prioritising the needs of her loved ones. 'While I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children's father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them,' wrote the three-time Grammy winner. Kelly and Brandon divorced in March 2022. Their daughter River Rose was born in 2014, and son Remington Alexander was born in 2016. She and the children reside in New York City, where she also hosts a daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show. Brandon's father, Narvel Blackstock, was once married to Reba McEntire, thus making the country music legend his one-time stepmother. Legal battles after bitter split Kelly and Brandon separated in 2020 after seven years of marriage and were embroiled in legal battles as they tried to resolve their complicated business entanglements. Shortly after Kelly filed for divorce, Starstruck Entertainment, the management company run by her former father-in-law, sued her for millions in allegedly unpaid fees. Starstruck claimed it had 'invested a great deal of time, money, energy and dedication' into her career and had 'developed Clarkson into a mega superstar'. Kelly responded by filing a complaint with California's Labour Commissioner, arguing that Starstruck had violated California's Talent Agencies Act by serving not only as her personal manager but also as unlicensed talent agents who booked business deals. In November 2023, Commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower ruled that Brandon had procured a number of deals for Kelly — including her role as a judge on the American version of The Voice — that should have been handled by her talent agents at Creative Artists Agency. That decision meant Brandon had to repay his ex-wife $US2.6 million, or about $A3.96 million. After their divorce, Kelly agreed to pay her ex-husband monthly child support of almost $A70,000 for their two children plus a one-off payment of $A1.98 million. In March 2024, Kelly filed another lawsuit against Brandon, this time claiming Starstruck had violated state labour laws by acting as unlicensed talent agents. Brandon's lawyer Bryan Freedman denounced Kelly's new lawsuit in a statement to Rolling Stone, saying it was 'morally, ethically and legally wrong to attempt to get monies back from your ex-husband who not only helped her as her manager but who used those earnings on their children and Kelly and Brandon's lifestyle during the marriage'. By May 2024, the former couple's legal issues were settled when they both withdrew their cases.
