Talent manager Brandon Blackstock has died at the age of 48.
The American, who was married to singer Kelly Clarkson from 2013 to 2022, tragically passed away following a battle with cancer.
The Fort Worth, Texas, native worked as a talent manager for Starstruck Entertainment – which manages high-profile clients such as Carly Pearce, Emily Ann Roberts and Blake Shelton.
Blackstock and Clarkson shared two children, while he also had two children from his previous marriage prior to the singer, and recently became a grandfather.
Announcing the news, a representative for the family told People in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away.
Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson were married from 2013 till 2022 (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
“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.”
Taking to Instagram, Clarkson posted: “Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas.
“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.
“I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”
Blackstock pictured with his four children and Clarkson, back in 2019 (Rich Fury/Getty Images)
Back in 2013, Clarkson told People in an interview: “This guy walks by, making everybody laugh. I said, ‘I’m gonna end up with him. I know it.'”
The pair married in October of that year.
Four years later she spoke about her then-husband while on air with SiriusXM.
“This isn’t a downer to anybody I dated before him, but I’m just going to be real: I never felt like, honestly, sexually attracted to anybody before him,” Clarkson said in November 2017. “And I’m not downing my exes. You know, everybody’s different. But there was something about him.”
Blackstock died at the age of 48 following a battle with cancer (Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
Blackstock was the talent manager for country singer Blake Shelton, who is married to Gwen Stefani. His work for Shelton helped land him the gig as his ex-wife’s manager also.
Speaking about it with Marie Claire back in 2018, the singer spoke admirably of him.
“I wouldn’t have hired Brandon to be my manager if I didn’t see first-hand how great he is at that and how much he cares about Blake,” the star said. “And the way that [Blake’s] career has blown up, I would have hired Brandon regardless. He’s really talented at what he does and his mind really does work in a completely different way.”
