Kelly Clarkson is one of the most recognizable singers and television personalities in the United States. After winning the first season of American Idol, she built a successful career in music and later became a familiar face on television. Her personal life, however, also attracted considerable public attention, particularly her marriage and subsequent divorce from talent manager Brandon Blackstock.
Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband was Brandon Blackstock, a talent manager who was also connected to the entertainment industry through his family. Clarkson and Blackstock married in 2013 and had two children together before their relationship ended in a highly publicized divorce.
Their divorce was finalized in 2022 after nearly two years of legal proceedings involving custody, financial support, property and other issues. The former couple also continued to deal with a separate professional dispute after their divorce.
Who Is Kelly Clarkson’s Ex-Husband?
Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband was Brandon Blackstock, an American talent manager. Blackstock worked in the entertainment business and was involved in managing artists, including his former wife during part of their relationship.
His father, Narvel Blackstock, was also a well-known music manager. Through his family and career, Brandon was familiar with the country and entertainment industries long before his marriage to Clarkson.
Clarkson and Blackstock first met in 2006, although their romantic relationship did not begin at that time. They reconnected years later and began dating in 2012.
The couple married the following year.
Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock Relationship Timeline
| Year | Major Event |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock first met |
| 2012 | The pair began their romantic relationship |
| 2013 | Clarkson and Blackstock married |
| 2014 | Their daughter, River Rose, was born |
| 2016 | Their son, Remington Alexander, was born |
| 2020 | Clarkson filed for divorce |
| 2020 | Clarkson was granted primary custody of their children |
| 2022 | Their divorce was officially finalized |
| 2023 | Clarkson won a major ruling in a separate management-related dispute |
| 2024 | The remaining professional dispute was settled confidentially |
| 2025 | Brandon Blackstock died after a battle with cancer |
The relationship lasted several years, but the couple eventually reached a point where they decided to end their marriage.
When Did Kelly Clarkson File for Divorce?
Kelly Clarkson filed for divorce from Brandon Blackstock in June 2020, after nearly seven years of marriage.
The divorce filing came during a particularly difficult period for the couple. Clarkson and Blackstock had spent significant time together at their Montana property during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reports at the time described increasing tension within their relationship.
The divorce proceedings became much more complicated than a simple separation. Issues involving custody, financial support and property took considerable time to resolve.
The divorce was eventually finalized on March 8, 2022.
Why Did Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock Divorce?
The exact private reasons behind a marriage ending are known only to the people involved. Clarkson publicly discussed the emotional difficulty of the period surrounding her divorce, but she did not provide one simple explanation that can fully account for the end of their marriage.
During the legal proceedings, reports described disagreements involving finances, property, custody and other matters.
Rather than attributing the divorce to one specific incident, it is more accurate to say that Clarkson and Blackstock’s relationship eventually broke down and the two pursued a legal separation.
Clarkson later described the divorce period as emotionally difficult and used some of those experiences as inspiration for her music.
Kelly Clarkson Divorce Settlement
The divorce settlement attracted substantial media attention because Clarkson and Blackstock had significant assets and because the proceedings involved their two children.
Under the settlement, Clarkson received primary custody of their children, while Blackstock retained parenting time. The financial agreement also included child support and spousal support.
According to court documents reported by Entertainment Tonight and other outlets, Clarkson was ordered to make a one-time payment of approximately $1.3 million and pay monthly support under the settlement.
Key Divorce Settlement Details
| Category | Details |
| Divorce finalized | March 8, 2022 |
| Children | River Rose and Remington Alexander |
| Primary custody | Kelly Clarkson |
| Child support | Approximately $45,601 per month initially |
| Spousal support | Approximately $115,000 per month until January 2024 |
| One-time payment | Approximately $1.3 million |
| Montana property | Clarkson retained the property under the settlement |
| Divorce status | Finalized |
The exact financial arrangements were based on the court-approved settlement and should not be confused with later disputes between the former couple.
Did Kelly Clarkson Get Custody of Her Children?
Yes. Kelly Clarkson was awarded primary custody of the couple’s two children.
Their children are:
- River Rose Blackstock
- Remington Alexander Blackstock
The custody arrangement also provided Brandon Blackstock with parenting time. At the time the divorce was finalized, reports said he was living in Montana and had the children for designated periods.
For Clarkson, the children became an important part of her life after the divorce. She has spoken publicly about the challenges of balancing her professional responsibilities with being a mother.
Kelly Clarkson and the Montana Ranch
The couple’s Montana property became another important part of the divorce proceedings.
As part of the settlement, Clarkson retained the Montana ranch. Blackstock was allowed to remain on the property for a period under the terms of the agreement and was required to pay rent during that time.
The property had become a significant part of Clarkson and Blackstock’s life before their divorce, so its ownership and use became one of the issues addressed during the legal process.
Was Brandon Blackstock Kelly Clarkson’s Manager?
Brandon Blackstock was not only Clarkson’s husband; he also worked as her manager during their relationship.
That professional connection later became the subject of a separate legal dispute.
In 2023, a California labor commissioner ruled that Blackstock had improperly obtained certain commissions from deals involving Clarkson. The ruling ordered him to return more than $2.6 million. Blackstock challenged the decision, and the matter was eventually resolved through a confidential settlement in 2024.
This case was separate from the original divorce settlement.
What Happened to Brandon Blackstock After the Divorce?
After the divorce, Blackstock largely stayed away from the entertainment spotlight.
The former couple continued to have a connection through their children. Their divorce agreement established arrangements concerning custody and financial support.
The professional dispute involving Clarkson’s management continued for a period after the divorce, but that matter was eventually settled.
Blackstock later became seriously ill.
When Did Brandon Blackstock Die?
Brandon Blackstock died on August 7, 2025, at the age of 48, following a battle with cancer.
The news was especially significant for Clarkson and their two children because, despite their divorce, Blackstock remained their children’s father.
According to reporting at the time, Clarkson paused professional commitments to be with their children during the difficult period.
In August 2026, reports marked one year since Blackstock’s death and described Clarkson’s continued focus on helping their children cope with the loss.
Kelly Clarkson’s Children After the Divorce
Clarkson and Blackstock’s two children have remained central to the story following their divorce.
| Child | Parent(s) | Birth Year |
| River Rose Blackstock | Kelly Clarkson & Brandon Blackstock | 2014 |
| Remington Alexander Blackstock | Kelly Clarkson & Brandon Blackstock | 2016 |
Clarkson has generally tried to keep her children’s private lives away from excessive public attention.
After Blackstock’s death, Clarkson’s role became even more focused on helping the children process the loss of their father.
Did Kelly Clarkson Remarry After Brandon Blackstock?
No. Kelly Clarkson did not remarry after her divorce from Brandon Blackstock.
Following the end of her marriage, Clarkson has largely focused on her career, music and family. She has also spoken about finding greater personal independence after the divorce.
Her 2023 album Chemistry was strongly associated with the emotional experiences surrounding her relationship and its ending. Clarkson described the project as a way of expressing complicated emotions rather than presenting a simple breakup story.
Kelly Clarkson Divorce and Her Album Chemistry
The end of Clarkson’s marriage influenced her music.
Her 2023 album Chemistry explored themes including love, heartbreak, anger, sadness and moving forward. Rather than treating the divorce as a single emotional experience, the album presented different stages and feelings connected with a major relationship ending.
This helped make Chemistry one of the most personal projects of Clarkson’s career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband?
Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband was Brandon Blackstock, a talent manager. They married in 2013 and divorced in 2022.
When did Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock get divorced?
Their divorce was finalized on March 8, 2022, following nearly two years of legal proceedings.
How many children did Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock have?
They had two children together: daughter River Rose and son Remington Alexander.
Who got custody of Kelly Clarkson’s children?
Kelly Clarkson was awarded primary custody, while Brandon Blackstock retained parenting time under the custody arrangement.
How much did Kelly Clarkson pay Brandon Blackstock?
The divorce settlement included a one-time payment of approximately $1.3 million, along with child and spousal support obligations under the court-approved agreement.
Did Brandon Blackstock manage Kelly Clarkson?
Yes. Blackstock worked as Clarkson’s manager during their relationship. Their professional relationship later resulted in a separate legal dispute that was settled in 2024.
What happened to Brandon Blackstock?
Brandon Blackstock died on August 7, 2025, at age 48, after a battle with cancer.
Conclusion
Kelly Clarkson’s divorce from Brandon Blackstock was one of the most closely followed celebrity divorces of the early 2020s. The process lasted nearly two years and involved custody, financial support, property and other legal matters.
Although the marriage ended in 2020 and the divorce became official in 2022, Clarkson and Blackstock remained connected through their two children. Their professional relationship also generated a separate legal dispute that was ultimately resolved.
Blackstock’s death in 2025 added another difficult chapter to the family’s story. For Clarkson, the focus in the aftermath has increasingly been on providing stability and support for their children while continuing her own career and personal life.
Ultimately, the story of Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock goes beyond a celebrity divorce. It is also a story about family, co-parenting, career pressures, legal battles and moving forward after a major life change.