In a recent legal development, Brandon Blackstock, the former spouse and manager of Kelly Clarkson, has been ordered by a California labor commissioner to pay the Grammy-winning singer a total of $2,641,374. The ruling follows a trial where Blackstock faced charges of wrongfully booking high-profile gigs on Clarkson’s behalf during their professional partnership.
According to court documents obtained by the media, Blackstock was found to have improperly booked deals while serving as both manager and booking agent for Clarkson. The labor commissioner’s decision outlined specific instances, including securing an appearance for Clarkson on The Voice, resulting in a profit of $1.98 million, and booking a hosting job for the Billboard Music Awards, generating a profit of $93.30. Additionally, Blackstock orchestrated partnership deals with major companies such as Norwegian Cruise Line and Wayfair.
The crux of the issue, as stated by the commissioner, is that Blackstock should not have made these bookings, given that the roles of manager and booking agent are legally required to be separate entities according to Californian law. Despite this breach, there is no dispute regarding the money earned from these deals.
In a countermeasure, Kelly Clarkson has been directed to pay $1.3 million, along with child and spousal support. The former couple, who tied the knot in 2013, officially filed for divorce in 2020, marking the end of their seven-year marriage.
This legal saga sheds light on the complexities of professional relationships within the entertainment industry and the potential pitfalls when roles intertwine. As the legal dust settles, both Clarkson and Blackstock are set to navigate the financial aftermath of their legal showdown.
