Most Heartbreaking Moments in Kelly Clarkson's Relationship with Ex-Husband Before His Death at 48 Revealed

The first-ever winner of "American Idol" endured years of personal and legal turmoil with her former husband in the years leading up to his death, as court records and interviews detail the strain on their family life.

Brandon Blackstock, a talent manager and Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband, has died at 48 after a battle with cancer. He was also the stepson of country music star Reba McEntire.

His family confirmed his death in a statement to USA Today on Thursday, August 7, 2025. "It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away," the statement read.

Clarkson and Blackstock, who married in October 2013 after getting engaged in December 2012, share two children: daughter River Rose and son Remington Alexander. The couple's divorce proceedings revealed that co-parenting had been a challenge.

In November 2020, People reported that a Los Angeles County judge granted Clarkson primary physical custody of their children. The documents stated, "The Court finds that under the circumstances present in this case, the interest in providing stability and continuity for the minor children weighs in favor of Petitioner having primary custody."

The documents also noted that "the level of conflict between the parents has increased. The parties have a difficult time co-parenting due to issues of trust between them."

Clarkson was to allow Blackstock — who planned to live in Montana and continued to work as a music manager — to visit their children in the Los Angeles area at her Woodvale residence.

They agreed to share joint physical and legal custody, with Clarkson having primary custody in Los Angeles. Under the agreement, Blackstock would FaceTime with his children every day at a time mutually agreed upon by both parties.

Both parents also agreed that they "shall not speak in a derogatory manner about the other parent to the minor children. The custodial parent shall not allow the minor children to be in the presence of any third party who speaks about the other parent in a derogatory manner."

During a February 2021 episode of "The Kelly Clarkson Show," Clarkson spoke candidly about the challenges of co-parenting. "It's tough," she shared. "With me and Brandon, it's just a difficult thing because we're in different places. And it's like we both agree on the main things, but it's a hard thing when you're not together all the time, for me, personally."

While the couple's custody agreement addressed their parenting arrangements, their legal disputes over money continued for years after the divorce. In May 2024, that chapter came to a quiet end.

Court filings revealed that Clarkson was the first to take action, requesting a dismissal of her case against Blackstock on May 21, 2024. The next day, his company, Starstruck Management Group, filed its own dismissal. "Everything has settled," a source close to the situation confirmed to Rolling Stone at the time.

The settlement meant the pair avoided a public bench trial scheduled for late August 2024, which would have examined whether Blackstock violated the law by arranging certain deals for Clarkson, including her role on "The Voice," and taking commissions from them.

At the time Clarkson moved to dismiss the case, Blackstock had already been facing serious health challenges. As per the statement released by his family at the time of his death, he battled cancer for over three years, meaning his illness was ongoing during the legal resolution.

Beyond the courtroom, the impact of the separation was deeply felt at home. In June 2023, Clarkson reflected on her children's feelings during an appearance on the podcast "We Can Do Hard Things."

"I'm still having conversations three years later. My kids just came back from my ex. Any time there's mention of him being with somebody else, they are just really adamant about keeping that dream alive that we might still be together one day," she revealed.

Those sentiments did not fade. More than a year later, in November 2024, the "Stronger" singer told KOST 103.5 how her children responded to the idea of her dating again. "They constantly bring it up. Please, we don't want you to be with anybody else.' They are young. It's hard to picture their mom with someone else other than their dad."

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock's relationship was marked by custody disputes, legal battles, and personal challenges, all unfolding alongside his long fight with cancer.

His death closed a chapter defined by both public conflict and private struggles, leaving behind two children whose hopes for their parents remained unchanged until the end.