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.
Blackstock was also the former stepson of the country music legend Reba McEntire. Indeed, McEntire was married to Blackstock’s father Narvel from 1989 until they divorced in 2015. Despite their split, McEntire remained close to her former stepchildren, particularly Blackstock.
While walking the red carpet at the 2025 Emmy Awards on Sunday night, McEntire gave an update on how Blackstock and Clarkson’s two young children are coping with this unimaginable loss. They share daughter River Rose, 11, and son Remington, 9. Blackstock was also the father of daughter Savannah, 23, and son Seth, 18, from a previous marriage.
McEntire Gives Update On Blackstock’s Children
“The kids are doing well, they’re all bonding together and hanging out with each other, and taking it one day at a time,” McEntire, 70, told Entertainment Tonight.
“We miss him, we miss him every minute,” she later added. “We know God’s got this.”
Blackstock died on August 7 after privately battling melanoma for three years.
“He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family,” a rep for his family told Page Six at the time. “We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
An insider then revealed that at the time of his passing, Blackstock had been in hospice.
McEntire Mourns Blackstock
Afterwards, McEntire took to Instagram to publicly mourn Blackstock.
“Last week, my stepson/oldest son Brandon Blackstock went home to be with God,” McEntire 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 continued. “His legacy and laughter will be carried on through his family. Rest in peace cowboy. Happy trails to you til we meet again.”
McEntire also commented on her son Shelby Blackstock’s Instagram for his late half-brother.
“Very well said Shelby,” McEntire wrote. “Yes we will miss him so much.”
Shelby, 35, described Blackstock as being an “irreplaceable part of our family.”
“He taught me so much, leaving behind countless cherished memories that I will hold onto forever,” he wrote. “For every treasured moment we shared, there are so many more we’ll never get to make together, but I know you’ll still be there. Every hunt, every flight, and in the everyday moments of life, I’ll feel your presence.”
Shelby concluded his post by saying that the family would always miss him and “ever stop loving, remembering and celebrating you.”
Clarkson ‘Devastated’ For Her Children
As for Clarkson, she’s stayed quiet in the weeks since Blackstock’s death, as her focus has been on their two young children. Clarkson and Blackstock were married from 2013 until she filed for divorce in 2020. A bitter divorce battle ensued that lasted until 2022.
Though Clarkson and Blackstock weren’t on the best terms after their messy split, the original American Idol winner was able to put this aside after he became ill. Clarkson has been left “devastated” for her two children over them losing their father.
“When she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake,” an insider told People Magazine after Blackstock’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.”
Judging by what McEntire had to say, it appears that Blackstock and Clarkson’s children are being well taken care of. Please join us in saying a prayer for them as they continue to mourn this loss!