Kelly Clarkson’s Painful Journey with Brandon Blackstock Comes to Light After His Death. Kelly Clarkson, the first American Idol winner, faced years of emotional and legal turmoil with her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, who died on August 7, 2025, at the age of 48 after a private, three-year battle with cancer.
Blackstock, a music manager and stepson of Reba McEntire, shared two children with Clarkson: River Rose and Remington Alexander. The couple married in 2013 and divorced in 2020. Following their split, a Los Angeles judge granted Clarkson primary custody, citing conflict and a lack of trust.
Blackstock, who was living in Montana, was allowed visitation and daily FaceTime calls. Both were ordered not to speak negatively…