You’ve seen the headlines. For years, the story of Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire was the ultimate Hollywood fairytale—the kind where a small-town girl from Texas grows up idolizing a country legend, wins American Idol, and then literally becomes her daughter-in-law. It’s the kind of plot point a TV writer would reject for being too "on the nose."
But then the real world crashed in. Divorce. Lawsuits. Family drama that played out in the tabloids for years. Now, in 2026, people are still asking: Are they actually still friends? Or did the messy split between Kelly and Reba’s stepson, Brandon Blackstock, kill the vibe for good?
Honestly, the truth is way more nuanced than a "feud" headline.
The Night Everything Changed (Before the Drama)
Most people think their bond started when Kelly married into the family in 2013. Nope. It goes way back to 2002. Imagine being 20 years old, having just won the biggest show on TV, and getting to pick one person in the world to sing with. Kelly picked Reba.
They sang "Does He Love You" on the Idol stage. Kelly was visibly shaking. Reba was, well, Reba—total pro, incredibly warm. That wasn't just a PR stunt. It was the start of a mentorship that lasted through hit records and world tours.
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By the time Kelly started dating Brandon Blackstock in 2012, she wasn't just dating her manager's son. She was moving into the inner circle of the woman she called her hero. Reba wasn't just a "mother-in-law" figure; she was a confidante. Kelly once famously said that her first real experience of sitting down at a big family dinner table—no TV, just talking—was at Reba and Narvel Blackstock’s house.
When the "Family Business" Fell Apart
The breaking point for the public perception of their friendship came in 2020. Kelly filed for divorce from Brandon. It wasn't one of those "conscious uncouplings" where everyone remains besties. It was brutal. There were fights over the Montana ranch, spousal support, and a massive legal battle with Narvel Blackstock’s management company.
People took sides. They assumed Reba had to choose.
But Reba has always been a master of the "sound mind" approach. She had been through her own earth-shattering divorce from Narvel in 2015. She knew exactly how messy things get when business and blood mix. While fans were looking for a "Reba Snubs Kelly" moment, it never happened.
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The 2025 Turning Point: Grief and Healing
If there was ever a moment that defined where they stand now, it was the summer of 2025. The news hit that Brandon Blackstock had passed away at age 48 after a three-year battle with melanoma. It was a shock to the industry and a devastating blow to the two children he shared with Kelly—River and Remy.
In times of extreme grief, fake friendships evaporate. Real ones solidify.
Kelly took time off from The Kelly Clarkson Show and postponed her Las Vegas residency dates to be there for her kids. Reba, who had treated Brandon like her own son for decades, was right there in the trenches of that loss too. They weren't just "industry peers" anymore; they were two women trying to help a group of grieving children navigate the loss of a father.
Reba publicly shared an emotional tribute to Brandon, but behind the scenes, the connection with Kelly remained steady. Kelly recently shared on her show that she's been letting her kids sleep in her bed every night since the funeral—"just me, the two kids, and two dogs," she said. It’s a heavy time. Reba has been a sounding board for that weight.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Them
The biggest misconception is that they are "no longer family." Technically, by law, that might be true. But they’ve both been very vocal about the fact that "family" is a choice.
- They still text—a lot. Kelly recently told Andy Cohen that she and Reba were texting constantly before Reba even signed on to The Voice.
- They don't do "sides." Reba has been incredibly careful. She loves Brandon (he was her stepson for nearly 30 years) and she loves Kelly. She refused to play the tabloid game of "picking a winner."
- The mentorship is still active. Kelly still views Reba as the gold standard for how to handle a career with grace.
Where They Stand in 2026
Right now, Kelly is preparing to head back to Las Vegas for her residency in July and August of 2026. She’s focused on her kids and her show. Reba is still the reigning queen of country, balancing The Voice and her own projects.
Their relationship has moved past the "idol and fan" stage. It’s moved past the "in-law" stage. Honestly, they’re just two survivors. They’ve both seen the music industry try to chew them up, they’ve both survived high-profile divorces, and they’ve both dealt with the sudden loss of someone who was once the center of their shared world.
How to Apply the "Reba & Kelly" Approach to Your Life
There is a real lesson here in how to handle family drama without burning every bridge in sight. If you’re navigating a "divided" family situation, take a page out of their book:
- Separate the person from the conflict. You can be furious with someone’s ex-spouse or business partner without hating the person's entire family.
- Privacy is a power move. Notice how little Reba said during the peak of Kelly’s legal battles? Silence isn't always absence; sometimes it's protection.
- Acknowledge the history. Don't try to erase the years of friendship just because the "labels" changed.
The bond between Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire hasn't been broken—it's just been weathered. It’s less "fairytale" now and more "real life," which, frankly, is a lot more interesting to watch.
Check out Kelly’s latest "Kellyoke" covers if you want to see how she’s processing her recent journey through music; she often sneaks in nods to the artists who’ve supported her through the dark times. Keep an eye on the guest list for The Kelly Clarkson Show this season, as a Reba appearance is never out of the question when they have something to celebrate together.