Former “The Voice” coach Blake Shelton worked with Brandon Blackstock before the talent manager met Kelly Clarkson. Blackstock managed Shelton and they were also close friends. The country singer shared the advice he gave Blackstock before he proposed to Clarkson.
Blake Shelton Made a Bold Comment About Brandon Blackstock Marrying Kelly Clarkson
Blackstock and Clarkson first met in 2006 at the Academy of Country Music Awards. The “American Idol” season 1 winner was managed at the time by Blackstock’s father, Narvel Blackstock.
Shelton, who was Clarkson’s friend and one of Brandon Blackstock’s clients, encouraged his manager to propose.
“I said, man, when you grow up and you figure out that you need to marry this girl, I am going on the record saying, I will do the music at the wedding or party or whatever y’all decide to do. I’ll be that guy,” Shelton told Hollyscoop in 2012.
He added, “I’ll play for four hours if I have to, because you need to get your head out of your [expletive] and ask this girl to marry you.”
According to a 2021 report from Us Weekly, an insider shared that Clarkson and Shelton remained good friends amid her divorce from Blackstock. “Blake and Kelly are extremely close,” the source shared at the time. “Their friendship and bond goes beyond the business.”
Brandon Blackstock Passed Away Following a Battle With Cancer
Blackstock died on August 7, 2025, following a battle with cancer. He was 48.
“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. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family,” a rep for the family said in a statement.
The statement added, “We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
One day before his death, Clarkson announced that she needed to postpone her remaining August Las Vegas concerts, noting that her ex-husband was ill.
“Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,” she shared in an Instagram post.
Clarkson continued, “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.”
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Blake Shelton’s Candid Conversation with Brandon Blackstock About Marrying Kelly Clarkson