After being married for seven years and having kids together, Kelly Clarkson and former talent manager Brandon Blackstock divorced in 2020.
Clarkson’s divorce has been emotionally and financially draining, but her closest friends have been there for her. Blake Shelton, who had been under Brandon’s management for years, is said to have severed connections with him.
Clarkson and Blackstock’s relationship may be strained today, but they were once one of Hollywood’s most adoring couples. They started dating in 2011, married in 2013, they have 4 kids, including his two children from his previous marriage.
During her talk show, “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” the “Voice” coach would constantly brag about her spouse, but they ultimately fell out of love.
Clarkson filed for divorce in June 2020, alleging “irresolvable issues.” She subsequently stated that she didn’t see their divorce coming, and that she and Blackstock were trying to safeguard their children throughout the separation.
Despite the fact that Blackstock and Clarkson signed a prenuptial agreement, he challenged it. Blackstock sought to divide their assets and Clarkson’s earnings from their seven-year marriage in half. There will be more on this later.
Their divorce was exacerbated by the fact that Blackstock was also Clarkson’s manager via Narvel Blackstock’s (his father’s) firm, Starstruck Management Group.
After their breakup, the management business sued her, saying she owed over $3 million in unpaid commissions. She paid $1.9 million and then sued to avoid having to pay the remaining $1.4 million.
Clarkson’s countersuit claimed that Starstruck failed to fulfill the licensure criteria of the Talent Agencies Act. She also claimed Blackstock and his father, Narvel, worked in California as unlicensed talent agents.
The singer also claimed that her ex-husband “cheated” her by demanding high prices for his services. Clarkson sought to have all agreements between her and Starstruck declared null and invalid, so she wouldn’t have to pay the millions required by the management business.
During 2020 and 2021, Blackstock and Clarkson’s court struggle dominated headlines, particularly when a judge ordered her to pay Blackstock $150,000 per month in spousal support and $45,000 in child support.
Returning to their contentious prenup, a court agreed with Clarkson and ordered in August 2021 that the agreement had to be considered while making divorce choices.
Despite the fact that Clarkson still owed over $200,000 in spousal and child support, she was granted the right to sell the Montana ranch Blackstock used as his principal home.
The split of Blackstock and Clarkson prompted country music singer Reba McEntire to express her feelings. McEntire was married to Blackstock’s father, Narvel, for over three decades.
Clarkson has said that she is overjoyed to have McEntire as a member of her family, particularly because she has looked up to the “I’m a Survivor” diva for many years.
Both singers share a particular bond, although McEntire considers Blackstock to be her stepson since she was married to Narvel for many years. McEntire stated of Clarkson and Blackstock’s divorce that she really liked them both. Brandon is her son-in-law. Kelly is a dear friend of mine. She is rooting for them both and hopes they are happy and well after this ordeal.
Clarkson revealed in August 2021 how her nonexistent connection with her father affects her romantic relationships. She said on Kevin Hart’s chat show “Hart to Heart” that she didn’t grow up with or know her dad, Stephen.
Clarkson’s parents divorced when she was six years old, and the family (which included her four siblings) split up. She seldom remained in contact with Stephen after that. She didn’t miss him either, since “what you never had” cannot be missed.
Clarkson discovered her “problem” after going to counseling: growing up without Stephen. She had no idea what to look for in a relationship since she had never known what it was like to have a father.
The singer added that she grew up with no role models for how a woman should be treated or what a relationship should look like. Regarding Clarkson’s family, her mom, Jeanne, had an amusing response to her daughter’s divorce.
Clarkson revealed to author Glennon Doyle that she handed Jeanne her novel “Untamed,” which recounts Glennon’s “wake-up call” before divorce.
Jeanne then asked Clarkson if there was a hidden purpose for her recommendation of the book. The singer was concerned that her mother might interpret the biography as love counsel and take offense.
Jeanne, on the other hand, said, “Is this your way of coming out to me?” Clarkson couldn’t stop laughing. She was startled that the book’s primary takeaway for her mother was that she was a lesbian.
Clarkson and Blackstock’s divorce was completed in March 2022, following almost two years of back-and-forth in court. Despite the fact that the drama is now over, Clarkson must pay a large sum of money.
The sides agreed that the artist would make a one-time payment of somewhat more than $1.3 million to Blackstock. He will also get $45,000 in child support and $115,000 in spousal support each month until January 31, 2024.
Clarkson preserved their two Montana estates, but Blackstock would have to leave the Montana ranch. Until then, he will pay $2,000 every month to his ex-wife.
The singer will retain their pets, automobiles, and a flying simulator, while the retiring manager will keep farm animals, livestock, stock dogs, horses, and vehicles.
Clarkson and Blackstock had previously agreed to share custody of their two children, but they will now reside in Los Angeles at their mother’s house.
Unfortunately, theirs was not the only high-profile Hollywood divorce in recent years.
After two years of marriage, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard divorced in 2017, and things were so problematic that he allegedly faced a boycott. Depp wanted to reinvent himself.
