It’s been one month since Brandon Blackstock, the ex-husband of the singer and talk show host Kelly Clarkson, passed away after a private three year battle with cancer. He was 48 years-old.
Brandonk was also the former stepson of the country music legend Reba McEntire. Now, Reba is speaking out to honor Brandon and reveal what he was really like during his life.
Reba Honors Late Stepson
Reba, 70, was previously married to Brandon’s father Narvel from 1989 until they divorced in 2015. Even after their split, Reba remained close to Brandon and still saw him as her stepson.
“My relationship with my stepson, Brandon Blackstock, was precious,” Reba told People Magazine of Brandon. “I absolutely loved that child. He came into my life, I guess he was 4 years old. Then when Narvel and I got married, he was 13, 14.”
“Along with his mom and dad, I helped raise him, along with [stepkids] Shawna and Chassidy,” she continued. “They were my kids.”
Reba went on to talk about what Brandon was like as a man. She described him as being someone who was “so funny” and loved to “pull pranks.”
“He loved to scare people,” she added. “We’d be at the office there at Starstruck [which was owned by Narvel] in Nashville and I’d be sitting at my desk and I’d see Penny Chubb [a Starstruck Entertainment employee] walk by going to the lady’s room, and then here comes Brandon. He’d hide behind the pillar.”
“Brandon is sorely missed, truly missed with his mischievousness and his love of life,” Reba lamented. “He brought joy to everybody that met him, and we’ll never forget him.”
Brandon’s Death
Brandon died on August 7 after a private three year battle with malignant melanoma.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” a rep for his family said at the time. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
In 2021, six years after divorcing his father, Reba told Entertainment Tonight that Brandon was her “son.”
“Although he’s my stepson, I still love him like he’s my total — my blood,” she said at the time.
Days after Brandon’s passing, Reba paid tribute to him on Instagram.
“Last week, my stepson/oldest son Brandon Blackstock went home to be with God,” Reba wrote. “His struggle is over and he is in eternal peace in God’s presence.”
“There is no one else like him, and I’m thankful for the time we had together,” she stated. “His legacy and laughter will be carried on through his family. Rest in peace cowboy. Happy trails to you til we meet again.”
Brandon’s History With Kelly
Brandon was married to the singer and talk show host Kelly Clarkson from 2013 until they split in 2020. During their marriage, they welcomed two children: daughter River Rose, 11, and son Remington, 9. Brandon was also the father of daughter Savannah, 23, and son Seth, 18, from a previous marriage.
“The kids are doing well, they’re all bonding together and hanging out with each other, and taking it one day at a time,” Reba told Entertainment Tonight at the Emmy Awards last month.
“We miss him, we miss him every minute,” she later added. “We know God’s got this.”
Though their divorce had been contentious at times, Kelly put that aside when Brandon got sick. Indeed, she was “devastated” for her children when Brandon ultimately passed away.
“When she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake,” an insider told People Magazine after Brandon’s death. “Kelly has always tried to keep things classy. It became clear earlier this year that Brandon was not doing well. She’s been devastated for the kids.”
This has clearly been an incredibly tragic situation for everyone involved. Please join us in saying a prayer for Reba, and for all of Brandon’s other loved ones, as they continue to mourn this loss.