Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband Brandon Blackstock has died at 48 from melanoma
Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, has died at age 48 after a battle with melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. According to a family statement, Blackstock “bravely battled cancer for more than three years” and passed away peacefully, surrounded by family. The family asked for privacy as they grieve and thanked well-wishers for their thoughts and prayers.
The news comes after Kelly Clarkson, the original American Idol winner and host of The Kelly Clarkson Show, announced she had to cancel all August dates for her Las Vegas residency while she focused on family matters related to Blackstock’s illness. In explaining the cancellations, Clarkson said she needed to be fully present for her children during this difficult time and expressed regret to fans who had purchased tickets.
Why Kelly Clarkson has been absent from her talk show
Clarkson’s absences from The Kelly Clarkson Show throughout 2025 had prompted questions from fans and media. This recent announcement is the first time she publicly connected those absences to her ex-husband’s health. Sources have said she took a brief leave earlier in the year to care for Blackstock during his private cancer battle.
In her social statement announcing the cancellations, Clarkson wrote that while she usually keeps personal details private, “this past year, my children’s father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them.” She asked for understanding and thanked fans for their kindness.
Earlier in July, Clarkson also postponed the opening of her Las Vegas residency because of vocal strain. She explained that rehearsals had taken a toll on her voice and that she needed time to rest to avoid further damage and to give audiences the best possible performances when she returned.
Brandon Blackstock was the father of River and Remington
Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson share two children: son River and daughter Remington. Blackstock also had two children from a prior marriage, Savannah and Seth, and became a grandfather in 2022 when Savannah gave birth to a son. He was once the stepson of country star Reba McEntire, who was married to his father, Narvel Blackstock.
Clarkson and Blackstock married in 2013 and their divorce was finalized in 2022 after a contentious separation that included legal and financial disputes. Blackstock had served as Clarkson’s manager during their relationship and later continued to manage other prominent clients. Even after their divorce, some financial disagreements persisted between them.
The loss will have a significant impact on the family. Clarkson is now parenting two young children who have lost their father, and observers have speculated she may scale back professional commitments to spend more time with them. Despite recent interruptions, Clarkson is expected to return to The Kelly Clarkson Show, which tapes at 30 Rock in New York City, for season seven in the fall of 2025.
As friends, family and fans respond to the news, many have offered condolences and memories of Blackstock. The family’s request for privacy underlines the intensely personal nature of this loss. For now, Clarkson’s focus, she said, is on her children and supporting them through their grief while honoring the memory of their father.