As Kelly Clarkson and her kids mourn the passing of her ex-husband and their dad, Brandon Blackstock, others mourning his death on August 7, 2025, include country superstar Reba McEntire.
“The Voice” coach was married to Brandon’s dad, talent manager Narvel Blackstock, from 1989 to 2015, and remained close with him and Clarkson, even through their own divorce, which Clarkson filed for in 2020. Brandon was Narvel’s son from a previous marriage.
In 2021, McEntire told Entertainment Tonight, “Brandon’s been my son forever it seems. Although he’s my stepson, I still love him like he’s my total — my blood, so I’m praying for them both because I love them both.”
Brandon Blackstock & His Kids Attended Reba McEntire’s Rodeo Show in March 2025
When McEntire performed at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in March, it was a family affair. Her and Narvel’s son Shelby Blackstock — Brandon’s half-brother — shared photos from the event that showed Brandon attended the concert and was backstage with McEntire, along with three of his four kids.
Shelby captioned the collection of photos by writing, “Family time, the @rodeohouston , & corn dogs! We had a blast in Houston watching @rissablackstock experience her first rodeo & being able to spend cherished time with family! Mom’s concert was the icing on the cake!”
Brandon had two kids with his first wife, Melissa Ashworth — Savannah, 22, and Seth, 18. He shared two kids with Clarkson — River Rose, 11, and Remington, 9. He was also a grandpa to Savannah’s young son, who was also at the rodeo.
At the time of publication, McEntire had not spoken publicly about Brandon’s passing.
Reba McEntire Also Remains Close With Kelly Clarkson, Too
McEntire didn’t take sides as Clarkson and Blackstock were going through their oftentimes contentious divorce, remaining connected to and supporting both of them.
In 2021, she told Extra, “You know, I love them both. Brandon’s my stepson, Kelly’s my good friend, and I’m pulling for both of them. I hope they’re happy and healthy and pull through this. I pray that everybody gives them the encouragement they can, because they need it right now, both of them.”
She also told Entertainment Tonight that year, “Kelly and I do talk, we text and I love them both, and so I can’t play favorites because I’ve been a friend of Kelly for a long time.”
Before McEntire became a coach on “The Voice,” she was a Mega Mentor on the show in 2023, and got to work with Clarkson there.
“I am so proud of Kelly,” McEntire said on the show, as seen in the video above. “She has grown as an artist, as a teacher. From when we first met in 2000 — way back — 2002, so that was how long we’ve known each other. She was a baby!”
“Now, she’s just matured into this wonderful woman that I am just so proud of and I love her with all my heart,” she added.
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Reba McEntire Loses Her Stepson Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson’s Ex: Inside Their Bond