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Brandon Blackstock Was in a Relationship With Ex Kelly Clarkson's Former Assistant: ‘Soulmates' Were ‘Building a Life' in Montana Before He Died
Kelly Clarkson's former husband, Brandon Blackstock, was in a committed relationship with his "soulmate," who had been living with him at his Montana ranch in the years leading up to his death, his obituary has revealed.
Blackstock, who passed away earlier this month from cancer at the age of 48, had begun dating Brittney Marie Jones—his ex-wife's former production assistant—several years before his tragic passing, with his obituary describing how the couple had been focused on "building a life" together at his Butte, MT, home.
"After more than 20 years in the music business, Brandon found his way back to the mountains and the cowboy way of life he always wanted to live. He found a homestead and a love in Butte, Montana," the online tribute reads.
According to the obit, Blackstock and Jones had been collaborating as business partners, working to build a livestock auction company, as well as a rodeo, in the years leading up to his death.
"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," it continues.
"Brandon didn't do anything halfway. He charged into life with both guns blazing. He was a cowboy… and valued the cowboy way of life. He drove a big truck, rode a good horse, and removed his hat when he introduced himself. He was a sharpshooter, a man's man, and a true gentleman. He loved a hard day's work that started early and finished late."
The former talent manager—who was married to Clarkson, 43, for nine years before their divorce was finalized in 2022—originally relocated to Montana with his then-wife and their kids in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pop star Clarkson had bought a ranch in the state one year earlier, and the family quarantined in the property, with the singer later revealing: "It's nice to get into nature ... It's nice to just come out here and sit by the stream and hear the water flowing and be around all the trees."
However, not long after, Blackstock and Clarkson announced that they were separating—ultimately becoming embroiled in a bitter legal battle that centered largely around the ownership of two Montana properties.
In her divorce settlement with Blackstock, it was revealed that Clarkson had been granted ownership of their "two" Montana properties, suggesting that they may have added on to their enormous estate with the purchase of another plot.
However, Blackstock was committed to building a life in Montana and later purchased his own dwelling in Butte, with records revealing that he closed on the home in April 2022. While the price was not disclosed, the home had been on the market for $1.8 million before it was purchased.
The property came complete with just over 40 acres as well as a rustic main residence that features four bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
In its original listing, the dwelling was described as an "exquisite home" that is "nestled ... in a very private and serene setting," with images revealing that the abode's interior had been given a modern refresh before it was put on the market.
According to reports, Jones made her own move to Montana in 2020, when her LinkedIn page says she began working as an executive assistant for Blacstock's ranch, V Bar B Cattle Co.
Before that, Jones had been working as an assistant to Clarkson, serving as her production assistant between 2016 and 2018, before she was promoted to the role of executive management assistant to Blackstock, while still managing the singer's day-to-day schedule.
However, in June 2020, the same month that Clarkson filed for divorce from her husband, Jones' role changed—and it appears she became fully committed to helping Blackstock build his businesses in Montana, including the livestock auction business that he acquired in 2023.
While it is not known exactly how much Blackstock paid for the business, which was originally opened in 2005, public records show that he "submitted a petition letter to request a change in name and ownership of license for Headwaters Livestock Auction in Three Forks, MT" in May 2023.
The livestock auction's website lists Blackstock as the owner, while Jones is named as the business' managing director.
The couple also collaborated on another business, Valley View Rodeo, which states on its website that it was built to keep "the Western lifestyle alive in the modern day."
While the company only had two businesses under its name—the rodeo itself and the livestock auction—the site goes on to suggest that Blackstock and Jones had plans to expand into other areas, including opening restaurants in the local area.
"Based it the great state of Montana, Valley View is a multi-faceted organization dedicated to keeping the Wester lifestyle alive in the modern day," it reads.
"From the livestock industry to rodeos, restaurants and more, we are passionate about the things that make the west truly Western, and our goal is to keep it thriving today and for generations to come."
In Blackstock's obituary, which makes no mention of Clarkson, his dedication to the Western lifestyle was made abundantly clear, with the tribute recalling how he "rode bulls, but did not take any."
"There were no elk, deer, or fish who weren't slightly afraid of him. He was honest and earnest. He was loyal, hardworking, and loved hard," it goes on, before adding that Blackstock's most treasured role was that as a father to his four children.
The former talent manager welcomed two children with Clarkson—River, 11, and Remington, 9—and also had two kids, Savannah and Seth, with his former wife, Melissa Ashworth.
"But never did his star shine brighter than in his role as a father. Nothing mattered to Brandon more than his four beautiful children, Savannah, Seth, River, and Remy," his obituary reads. "To say he was devoted seems cliché. It feels like an overused word, but it is the correct word. He was a devoted father. His four children were and will always be his greatest love and his greatest legacy."
Blackstock's death was announced in a statement shared by a family spokesperson on Aug. 7, in which it was revealed that he had secretly been battling cancer for more than three years.
"It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away," a representative for the family said. "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."
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