Brandon Blackstock, the talent manager and former husband of singer Kelly Clarkson, has died at 48 after a private battle with cancer, his family confirmed. The announcement came a day after Clarkson revealed she was postponing dates on her Las Vegas residency to be with their children as Blackstock faced a serious illness.

“In the greatest sadness 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. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time,” the family statement read.

Clarkson, the Grammy winner and former American Idol champion, had posted on Instagram on August 6 that she would pause the remainder of her August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas to be present for her children.

“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,” she wrote, thanking fans for their understanding.

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Blackstock and Clarkson met years earlier and began dating publicly in 2012. They married in October 2013 and welcomed two children, daughter River in 2014 and son Remington in 2016.

Blackstock was also a manager and producer who took on duties overseeing parts of Clarkson’s career during their marriage, including serving as an executive producer on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Their separation in 2020 led to a high profile and drawn out legal battle that concluded with their divorce being finalised in 2022. In 2023 Clarkson was reportedly awarded around 2.6 million dollars in a dispute related to management fees and deals made while they were married.

Blackstock is also survived by two children from his previous marriage, Savannah and Seth, and by a grandson, Lake.

Blackstock’s connections in country music ran deep. His father Narvel Blackstock was once married to country star Reba McEntire, and the family maintained ties with figures across the industry. During his career Brandon worked with a number of artists, including clients linked to The Voice franchise.

The news has reverberated across entertainment communities, with colleagues and fans offering condolences for the family. In a time when artists juggle global careers and private struggles, Clarkson’s decision to put family first has drawn particular attention, a reminder that even public figures must step back to care for loved ones.

As tributes begin to appear online, many will be watching how Clarkson and her children navigate the coming weeks. For now the family has asked for privacy, and fans have been encouraged to send thoughts and prayers rather than intrude on a deeply personal moment.