Brandon Blackstock, the ex-husband and former manager of Kelly Clarkson, has been directed by a California labor commissioner to reimburse Clarkson $2,641,374. This ruling comes after it was found that he overcharged her during their marriage while managing her career. Blackstock is reportedly planning to appeal the decision.
Legal documents, initially viewed by TMZ and obtained by Page Six, revealed that Blackstock’s actions were deemed unlawful in his management of Clarkson’s engagements with “The Voice,” Norwegian Cruise Lines, Wayfair, and the Billboard Music Awards. The labor commissioner clarified that only talent agents, not managers, are permitted to secure employment for clients, with a few exceptions.
The breakdown of the owed amounts includes $1,983,155.70 for Clarkson’s role on “The Voice,” $208,125 for her work with Norwegian Cruise Lines, $450,000 for her partnership with Wayfair, and $93.30 for hosting the Billboard Music Awards three times.
Clarkson, 41, had also sought repayment for earnings from her talk show, “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” but the labor commissioner ruled that Blackstock is entitled to keep that money.
The couple, who divorced in June 2020 after almost seven years of marriage, underwent a contentious custody dispute over their two children, River Rose, 9, and Remington “Remy” Alexander, 7, as well as their Montana ranch. The divorce was finalized in March 2022, with Clarkson gaining primary custody of the children and retaining the ranch.
Post-divorce, Clarkson and her children relocated to New York City, a move she credits with aiding her recovery. Reflecting on the impact of COVID-19 and her separation from Blackstock, Clarkson said in June, “A lot of us didn’t make it relationship-wise.”
After releasing her album “Chemistry,” Clarkson has expressed her contentment with being single. In September, she told her Instagram followers, “Do I have a boyfriend? No! And not looking. You know why? I love being single.” She elaborated on the challenges of starting anew, especially when “you think you’re going to spend the rest of your life with somebody, and you don’t.”
