Brandon Blackstock, born on December 16, 1976, in Fort Worth, Texas, has spent much of his life in and around the music business. As the son of industry heavyweight Narvel Blackstock and Elisa Gayle Ritter, he grew up behind the scenes of country’s biggest stages, but over time, Brandon’s carved out his own career as a respected talent manager, guiding the careers of artists like Blake Shelton and, for a time, even Kelly Clarkson.
Despite his career achievements, it’s often Brandon’s personal life that grabs the headlines. For better or worse, his relationships have been splashed across tabloids, putting his private life under a sometimes unforgiving spotlight.
Behind the Headlines: Brandon’s Major Relationships
These days, Brandon seems to be enjoying life out of the public eye. Since his high-profile divorce from Kelly Clarkson, he’s steered clear of the dating rumor mill, choosing instead to focus on his kids and his own pursuits.
A look back at his relationship history shows a man more interested in commitment than short-lived flings.
- Kelly Clarkson (2012-2022): Brandon and Kelly first truly connected in 2012 at the Super Bowl, where Blake Shelton – one of Brandon’s clients – was performing. Sparks flew, and within a year, they were married. Their union lasted nearly a decade, bringing two children into the world. But by 2020, cracks had started to show, and their divorce – finalized in 2022 – played out amidst legal wrangling and public interest.
- Melissa Ashworth (2001-2012): Before Kelly, Brandon was married to Melissa Ashworth. Their relationship was much more private, and over about ten years together, they had two children. The end of this marriage came quietly, just before Brandon began dating Kelly.
What’s clear is that Brandon doesn’t leap from relationship to relationship. His first marriage was almost entirely out of the headlines, while his partnership with Kelly – given her stardom – was inevitably more public. After their split, Brandon’s gone to great lengths to keep his personal life as private as possible.
Every now and then his name surfaces in rumors about possible new romances, but so far, nothing’s been confirmed or publicly acknowledged. Brandon isn’t one to court attention. He’s kept a low profile and doesn’t air his laundry, good or bad, in the press.
In one rare comment about relationships, Brandon emphasized that mutual respect and understanding are the bedrock of any long-lasting partnership. That attitude was evident in how both of his major breakups were handled – no mudslinging or tabloid wars, just the difficult work of moving on and co-parenting.
The divorce from Kelly was especially tough, with wrangling over finances and custody that kept both of them in the headlines longer than they may have liked. Through it all, Brandon focused on being there for his kids and rebuilding his life away from the glare of celebrity and gossip.
Past Relationships
Kelly Clarkson
Melissa Blackstock
For now, Brandon Blackstock seems to be taking things at his own pace – keeping busy with his management career and family, and not rushing into anything new. Whether it’s by design or simply the way life has played out, he’s entering a new chapter – one where he’s in control of how much he chooses to share with the world.