If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably seen some pretty confusing headlines. One minute there’s talk about a "tragic loss," and the next, people are debating old court documents. It’s a lot to keep up with. Honestly, when a celebrity as beloved as Kelly Clarkson is involved, the rumor mill tends to spin way out of control.
So, let's just get the big question out of the way immediately. Did Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband pass away?
Yes. Brandon Blackstock, the music manager who was married to the "Since U Been Gone" singer for nearly a decade, passed away on August 7, 2025. He was only 48 years old. It wasn't some sudden, shocking accident, though it certainly felt sudden to the public because of how private he kept his personal business. He had been fighting a very quiet, very tough battle with melanoma—a serious form of skin cancer—for over three years.
The Reality Behind the Headlines: Brandon Blackstock’s Final Months
It’s kinda wild how much we didn't know while it was happening. While the headlines for years were dominated by their messy divorce and the fight over that Montana ranch, Brandon was dealing with something much heavier. According to official statements from his family and the Silver Bow County Coroner, Dan Hollis, Brandon passed away peacefully at his home in Butte, Montana.
He was under hospice care at the time.
💡 You might also like: Birth Date of Pope Francis: Why Dec 17 Still Matters for the Church
Kelly actually gave us a hint that something was wrong just a day before the news broke. She had to postpone a string of her popular Las Vegas residency shows in August 2025. At the time, she told fans that her "children's father" had been ill and she needed to be present for River and Remington. People didn't realize then just how serious "ill" really was.
Understanding the Timeline of Events
- April 2022: Around the time the divorce was finalizing, Brandon reportedly received his diagnosis. He kept this out of the press.
- August 6, 2025: Kelly Clarkson announces the postponement of her "Studio Session" dates in Vegas, citing a family crisis.
- August 7, 2025: Brandon Blackstock passes away at his Montana residence surrounded by his family.
- August 11, 2025: The coroner confirms the cause of death was melanoma, categorized as natural causes.
Most people associate melanoma with just a "spot" on the skin, but as the experts at OncoDaily have pointed out, it's an aggressive cancer that can spread to other organs if it isn't caught early. Brandon’s battle lasted three years, meaning he was fighting this even as the legal battles with Kelly were making the front pages.
How Kelly Clarkson and the Kids are Doing Now
Fast forward to early 2026, and Kelly is finally starting to open up about the grief process. Honestly, it hasn't been easy. In a recent YouTube Q&A on her channel, she talked about how she’s been finding joy in the small things, mostly "snuggles" with her kids. She mentioned that River and Remington have been sleeping in her bed quite a bit lately.
It's just her, the two kids, and their two dogs.
📖 Related: Kanye West Black Head Mask: Why Ye Stopped Showing His Face
"There's been a lot for our family recently," she said. You can tell she's trying to be the "steady" parent while her kids process the loss of their dad. Even though their divorce was notoriously acrimonious—with lawsuits flying back and forth over management fees and property rights—sources close to Kelly say she was "devastated" for her children when she found out the severity of Brandon's illness.
The Legacy Left Behind
Brandon wasn't just "the ex-husband." He was a major player in the country music world for a long time. He managed Blake Shelton during the peak of his career and worked closely with Rascal Flatts. He was the son of Narvel Blackstock and, for a long time, the stepson of Reba McEntire.
He’s survived by four children: Savannah and Seth from his first marriage to Melissa Ashworth, and River and Remington from his marriage to Kelly. He actually became a grandfather in 2022 when his eldest daughter, Savannah, had a son named Lake.
What This Means for You (Actionable Steps)
When a celebrity story like this breaks, it’s easy to get caught up in the drama. But there are a couple of real-world takeaways here that actually matter for your own health and life.
👉 See also: Nicole Kidman with bangs: Why the actress just brought back her most iconic look
1. Take Skin Health Seriously
Melanoma is no joke. Brandon was only in his mid-40s when he was diagnosed.
- Get a full-body skin check by a dermatologist once a year.
- Look for the ABCDEs: Asymmetry, Border (irregular), Color (multiple shades), Diameter (larger than a pencil eraser), and Evolving (changing over time).
- Wear SPF 30 or higher every single day, even when it’s cloudy.
2. Respect the Complexity of Grief
Kelly and Brandon's relationship was complicated, to say the least. But grief doesn't care about divorce papers. If you're supporting someone who has lost an "ex," remember that they are grieving the father or mother of their children, not just a former partner.
3. Fact-Check Before You Share
In 2026, AI-generated rumors and "death hoaxes" are everywhere. If you see a headline saying did Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband passed away, look for confirmation from reputable outlets like People, AP News, or local coroners' offices before believing it. In this case, the news is unfortunately true, but the context of his three-year battle with cancer is the part many clickbait sites leave out.
The focus for the Blackstock and Clarkson families right now is clearly on the kids. As Kelly put it, grief hits in waves, and right now, they’re just trying to stay afloat together in that big bed with their dogs.
Next Steps: If you are concerned about your own skin health after reading about Brandon's battle with melanoma, your first move should be booking a screening with a board-certified dermatologist. Most insurance plans cover one preventative skin check per year.