Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband died of melanoma, coroner says

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.”