Brandon Blackstock had taken a step back from the spotlight in the years prior to his death.
Blackstock, who died in August at the age of 48, was last publicly spotted at the Critics’ Choice Awards in January 2020. He walked the red carpet with then-wife Kelly Clarkson months before she filed for divorce that June.
A former music manager, Blackstock relocated to Montana amid their separation, where he founded the local Valley View Rodeo.
“Valley View is a multi-faceted organization dedicated to keeping the Western lifestyle alive in the modern day,” a website description reads. “From the livestock industry to rodeos, restaurants and more, we are passionate about the things that make the West truly Western. Our goal is to keep it thriving today and for generations to come.”
Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, died on Thursday, August 7. He was 48. “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away. Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family,” a rep for the family said in a […]
His private Instagram account boasted that he was the “Founder of Valley View Rodeo” and featured a profile image where Blackstock wore a denim button-down shirt and a beige cowboy hat.
Blackstock and Clarkson, 43, settled their years-long divorce in 2022. Clarkson was awarded full custody of their children, River Rose and Remington, with Blackstock being granted visitation rights.
Blackstock died on Thursday, August 7, after a lengthy and private battle with cancer.
Taylor Hill/Getty Images
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” a spokesperson for his family told Us Weekly in a statement. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family.”
The statement concluded, “We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
In addition to River Rose and Remington, Blackstock is survived by eldest children Savannah and Seth from his first marriage, as well as Savannah’s own kids. (Savannah announced in July that she is expecting her second baby with husband Quentin Lee.)
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Brandon Blackstock entered the spotlight in 2012 when he started dating Kelly Clarkson — but the talent manager was actually no stranger to fame. The Texas native was born in 1976 to Narvel Blackstock and Elisa Gayle Ritter. After Narvel split from Ritter in 1988, Reba McEntire became Brandon’s stepmom. The country singer was married […]
One day before Us confirmed Blackstock’s passing, Clarkson revealed his illness.
“Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,” Clarkson wrote in a Wednesday, August 6, statement shared via social media. “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.”
Clarkson began her Studio Sessions residency in Las Vegas in late July. She has not publicly confirmed rescheduled dates or addressed Blackstock’s death.
