Reba McEntire said Sunday that Kelly Clarkson’s children are "doing well" and "bonding together" one month after the death of McEntire’s former stepson, Brandon Blackstock.
"We miss him. We miss him every minute," McEntire, 70, told Entertainment Tonight on the 2025 Emmy Awards red carpet. She said the children are "hanging out with each other, and taking it one day at a time," and added, "We know God's got this." McEntire also said her son and Brandon’s half-brother, Shelby Blackstock, is "doing great."
Brandon Blackstock, a talent manager and the former husband of Clarkson, died Aug. 7 at age 48 after a battle with melanoma, his family said in a statement to The Post. The statement said he "bravely battled cancer for more than three years." One week after his death, McEntire posted an emotional tribute on Instagram calling him her "stepson/oldest son," saying his "struggle is over and he is in eternal peace in God’s presence."
Blackstock shared two children with Clarkson — daughter River Rose and son Remy — and two older children, daughter Savannah and son Seth, from his first marriage to Melissa Ashworth. McEntire said the children have been spending time together in the weeks since his death. A celebration of life was held at Blackstock’s Montana home in August and was attended by family members, including his partner, Brittney Marie Jones.
McEntire, who was married to Brandon’s father Narvel Blackstock from 1989 to 2015, has remained close to Brandon since the couple’s divorce and was identified as a stepparent in his obituary. She has repeatedly spoken of her family ties in public comments and on social media since his illness and death.
Clarkson, who filed for divorce from Brandon Blackstock in 2020 and whose divorce was finalized after contentious proceedings in March 2022, has not publicly commented on his death. People reported that Clarkson was "devastated" for their children and that she took steps to protect them after learning of his illness.
Friends and family described Blackstock’s illness as a multi-year fight against melanoma. In public statements and on social media, relatives and loved ones have marked his passing with remembrances of his personality and of time spent with family. McEntire’s comments at the Emmy Awards were the latest public update about how the family is coping as they continue to grieve.
McEntire spoke of faith and family when describing the immediate aftermath of Blackstock’s death. "There is no one else like him, and I’m thankful for the time we had together," she wrote in an Instagram tribute. "His legacy and laughter will be carried on through his family. Rest in peace cowboy. Happy trails to you til we meet again."
The family has not disclosed long-term plans for public memorials beyond the private celebration of life in Montana. Media outlets and acquaintances have relied on statements from relatives and social posts for information about the family’s condition and grieving process since his death.