Brandon Blackstock, the ex-husband of singer Kelly Clarkson, has died of melanoma, and his obituary makes no mention of the Grammy winner. Instead, it highlights his relationship with Brittney Marie Jones, who previously worked as Clarkson's production assistant.
The obituary, published earlier this week, states that Blackstock was “building a life” with Jones, describing her as his “beautiful and loving partner in life and business.” The pair had been working on ventures including Headwaters Livestock Auction and The Valley View Rodeo in Montana.
Blackstock, who was also the stepson of country music star Reba McEntire, died on 12 August after a three-year battle with cancer. He shared two children, River, 11, and Remington, nine, with Clarkson, and two children, Savannah, 23, and Seth, 18, with his first wife, Melissa Ashworth.
Clarkson, 42, was married to Blackstock from 2013 until their divorce was finalised in 2022. As part of the settlement, she agreed to pay him a lump sum of $1.3 million and monthly child support of $45,601. The singer has previously spoken about the difficulties of the marriage, admitting in a 2023 podcast that her “ego got in the way” of leaving sooner.
Days before Blackstock's death, Clarkson postponed her Las Vegas residency dates, citing the need to be “fully present” for her children as their father was ill. A representative for Blackstock confirmed his passing, asking for privacy for the family during the “very difficult time”.
