Kelly Clarkson's Ex-Husband: Brandon Blackstock's Cancer

Brandon Blackstock, singer Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband, passed away in August 2025 at age 48 from skin cancer complications. He battled the disease in private for over three years, and passed at home, while together with his family. He left behind four children: Savannah, Seth, River and Remington, and two grandchildren.

Brandon Blackstock had melanoma, a type of skin cancer. This begins in melanin-producing cells, the melanocytes. Melanin is a substance in the body that is responsible for the pigmentation of the hair, eyes and skin.

Melanoma usually starts on skin that's regularly exposed to the sun (e.g. your arms, face or legs). Exposure to other sources of UV light, including tanning beds or lamps may also increase one’s risk of developing melanoma.

Melanoma is also one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer, accounting for almost 75% of skin cancer deaths. However, since the release of new immunotherapies over a decade ago, the chances of survival for melanoma cases have greatly improved when caught early.

Clarkson and Blackstock were married for nearly seven years before their 2020 split. Clarkson was the first-ever winner of the singing competition “American Idol”. They married in 2013, after which Blackstock became Clarkson’s talent manager, and oversaw her career. He encouraged her to host her own show, now known as the Kelly Clarkson Show.

In November 2020, Clarkson was awarded primary physical custody of their two children. The divorce was finalized in 2022.

Despite their personal issues, Clarkson continued to be supportive of Blackstock during the final months of his battle with cancer.

Around the time of Blackstock’s passing in August 2025, his ex-wife, singer Kelly Clarkson postponed her residency in Las Vegas in order to be with their children.