Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband Brandon Blackstock overcharged her in booking work. He’s ordered to return millions.
The long-running dispute over business earnings between American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson and her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock has taken another turn. A California labor commissioner has ruled that Blackstock improperly collected commissions for negotiating and booking certain high-profile engagements while acting as Clarkson’s manager, and has ordered him to repay millions to the singer.
Legal documents obtained by media outlets show the commissioner found that, in several instances, Blackstock negotiated and secured bookings that—under California law and industry practice—should have been handled by a licensed talent agent rather than a manager. Because managers are generally not authorized to procure employment or earn agent-style commissions in those circumstances, the commissioner concluded that the commissions Blackstock collected were not legally his to keep.
The ruling covers multiple deals, including Clarkson’s work on the television show The Voice, appearances with Norwegian Cruise Line, a partnership with Wayfair, and her role as host of the Billboard Music Awards. After reviewing the records, the labor commissioner determined Blackstock must repay a total of $2,641,374 in commissions to Clarkson.
Among the amounts detailed in the decision, Blackstock reportedly earned approximately $1.98 million in commission tied to Clarkson’s role on The Voice. By contrast, the commissioner found the commission for Clarkson’s hosting of the Billboard Music Awards amounted to just $93.30. The sizable discrepancy reflects the different values and commission structures associated with each engagement.
Blackstock has said he will appeal the decision, setting the stage for further legal proceedings. An appeal could revisit factual findings and legal interpretations made by the labor commissioner, and it may take time before any repayment order is final and enforceable.
Brandon will keep The Kelly Clarkson Show commission
Not every claim by Clarkson prevailed. She had sought to recover the commission Blackstock received for securing her syndicated daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, but the labor commissioner declined that portion of her request. The ruling allows Blackstock to retain the commission tied to that specific deal, distinguishing it from the bookings the commissioner found were improperly procured.
The dispute over commissions is just one chapter in the former couple’s broader legal and financial history. Clarkson filed for divorce from Blackstock in 2020 after seven years of marriage; the divorce was finalized in March 2022. Since then, the two have settled property matters and other disputes, including a high-profile fight over a Montana ranch. Clarkson ultimately secured possession of the ranch and now spends time there with her children.
As part of their divorce settlement, Clarkson paid Blackstock $1.3 million and agreed to monthly child support of $45,000 for their two children, River Rose and Remy. Blackstock also receives spousal support of $115,000 per month, a payment scheduled to end in January 2024. The settlement also allocated various personal property items to Clarkson, including family pets, several vehicles—reported to include a Ford Bronco, a Ford F-250, and a Porsche Cayenne—and other household assets.
The recent labor commissioner decision focuses narrowly on the legality of commission payments collected while Blackstock acted as Clarkson’s manager. It underscores the distinction between agents and managers within the entertainment industry and serves as a reminder that contracts and commission arrangements must comply with applicable licensing rules and labor regulations. With Blackstock announcing plans to appeal, the legal fight over these earnings is likely to continue until a final determination is reached.