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The family of Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, is beginning to speak out after his tragic death at age 48.
Brandon died on Thursday, August 7, after a private, yearslong battle with cancer. His brother, race car driver Shelby Blackstock, 35, was one of the first in the family to publicly address his passing.
Taking to his Instagram on Friday, August 8, Shelby shared several photos of Brandon with his family and doing what he loved.
Some pictures showed them swimming, while others displayed the tight-knit family on vacation or Brandon on horseback with a smile and an iced cold beer in hand.
“Words cannot begin to capture the tremendous loss our family has endured. Yesterday, we lost a brother, a father, a grandfather, and a son,” Shelby’s heartfelt post read.
Calling his half-sibling “an irreplaceable part of our family—funny, bright, and full of life,” Shelby said, “he will be deeply missed.”
Brandon and Shelby shared the same father, Narvel Blackstock, 68, but different mothers.
Narvel had Brandon and two other children with his first wife, Elisa Gayle Ritter, before marrying Reba McEntire in 1989 and welcoming Shelby in 1990.
Narvel — who was a talent manager — and McEntire divorced in 2015.
Despite their age gap, Shelby said that Brandon “taught me so much, leaving behind countless cherished memories that I will hold onto forever.”
He continued to speak about their bond while paying tribute to his brother.
“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 told his late sibling. “And although it may annoy you, you’ll have to watch me do it all just a little better, a little smoother, and —let’s be honest— looking far more handsome than you ever could in the process. 😏.”
He concluded: “We will always miss you, Brandon, and we will never stop loving, remembering and celebrating you.”
Clarkson, who was married to Brandon from 2013 until they split in 2020, and the family kept Brandon’s cancer battle close to the chest.
However, the singer shared that he was suffering from an illness just hours before his passing when she abruptly canceled the August shows of her Las Vegas residency on Wednesday, telling fans she needed to be there for her kids.
Clarkson and Brandon shared two children: daughter River, 11, and son Remington “Remy,” 9.
“Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,” Clarkson wrote on her Instagram, just two days before she was set to take the stage.
“While I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children’s father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them,” the singer added.
“I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”
The following day, Brandon’s family announced his death.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away. Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years,” his family said in a statement obtained by The Post.
“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,” they concluded.
The singer-songwriter, whose career Brandon managed during their marriage, is said to be “devastated” for her kids.
However, the show must go on.
After sparking concern with her mystery absences from her talk show earlier this year, “The Kelly Clarkson Show” will begin filming its seventh season the fall, according to TMZ.
Insiders familiar with the situation told the outlet that new episodes of Clarkson’s syndicated program are still slated to air in September, with separate sources telling Page Six that the singer’s absences this past season were due to Blackstock’s illness.
“It’s been exhausting and so sad,” an insider shared. “Kelly has been working so hard, as well as looking after Brandon. Despite their difficult divorce, he’s still the man she loved and still her kids’ father.”
Clarkson filed for divorce in 2020 after nearly seven years of marriage.
Their legal battle was messy, with the exes fighting over everything from custody of their children to their Montana ranch.
Clarkson and Brandon’s divorce was finalized in 2022.
He was awarded $115,000 each month in spousal support until January 2024 and a monthly amount of $45,600 in child support despite the Grammy winner being granted primary custody of their kids.
Clarkson relocated their children from Los Angeles, Calif., to New York for “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” while Brandon moved to Butte, Mont.
The “Since U Been Gone” singer was dedicated to making sure River and Remy had a good relationship with their father, especially before his death.
“When she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake,” a source told People after his passing.
“Kelly has always tried to keep things classy,” they added. “It became clear earlier this year that Brandon was not doing well. She’s been devastated for the kids.”
Brandon also leaves behind two adult children — Savannah, 23, and Seth, 18 — from his first marriage to Melissa Ashworth, whom he divorced in 2012.
One month before his death, Savannah revealed she was pregnant with her second child.