On Aug. 7 Brandon Blackstock, a talent manager and the ex-husband of Kelly Clarkson, died at the age of 48. His death was listed as natural and caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer that begins in the melanocytes, or the cells that produce melanin in the body, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
On Wednesday, Aug. 6, Clarkson revealed Blackstock had been ill, and she postponed her Las Vegas residency to spend time with their children, daughter River, 11, and son Remington, 9.
“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,” the singer wrote in a statement.
Brandon Blackstock’s Stepmother is Country Legend Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire was married to Narvel Blackstock from 1989 to 2015. The couple had one biological child, but McEntire gained three stepchildren in the union. In a 2010 interview with The Boot, McEntire said, “I don’t consider Brandon, Chassidy, and Shawna stepchildren. I claim them all.”
Following Blackstock’s divorce with Clarkson, McEntire didn’t take sides.
“You know, I love them both, Brandon’s my stepson, Kelly’s my good friend and I’m pulling for both of them,” McEntire said in an interview with Extra in 2021. “I hope they’re happy and healthy and pull through this. I pray that everybody gives them the encouragement that they can because they need it right now, both of them. I love them both with all my heart.”
McEntire Finally Releases Statement
Nearly a week after Blackstock’s death, McEntire took to social media with a tribute post.
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“Last week, my stepson/oldest son Brandon Blackstock went home to be with God. His struggle is over and he is in eternal peace in God’s presence. There is no one else like him, and I’m thankful for the time we had together. His legacy and laughter will be carried on through his family. Rest in peace cowboy. Happy trails to you til we meet again,” she said in the message posted on Instagram.
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