Reba McEntire said Sunday that the children of her late former stepson, Brandon Blackstock, are "doing well" and leaning on one another a month after his death.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet at the 2025 Emmy Awards, McEntire, 70, said, "We miss him. We miss him every minute. The kids are doing well, they're all bonding together and hanging out with each other, and taking it one day at a time. We know God's got this." She added that her son and Brandon’s half-brother, Shelby Blackstock, is "doing great."
Brandon Blackstock, a talent manager and the ex-husband of singer Kelly Clarkson, died Aug. 7 after more than three years battling melanoma. He was 48. He is survived by four children: Remy, 9, and River Rose, 11, with Clarkson; and Savannah, 23, and Seth, 18, from his first marriage to Melissa Ashworth.
McEntire, who was married to Brandon’s father, Narvel Blackstock, from 1989 until 2015, remained close to Brandon after the divorce and referred to him as a son in public tributes. One week after his death she posted an Instagram message that began, "Last week, my stepson/oldest son Brandon Blackstock went home to be with God," and said his "legacy and laughter will be carried on through his family." Despite the 2015 split, she was listed as a stepparent in his obituary.
Clarkson, 43, has not publicly commented on her ex-husband’s death. The former couple divorced after a contentious legal battle; Clarkson filed for divorce in 2020 after seven years of marriage, and their divorce was finalized in March 2022. Media reports have described Clarkson as "devastated" for her children, and an unnamed source told People that when Clarkson learned of Brandon’s illness she "remained protective of him for their sake."
A celebration of life was held at Blackstock’s home in Montana in August and was attended by family members and close friends, including his partner, Brittney Marie Jones, who had previously worked as Clarkson’s assistant.
McEntire attended the Emmy Awards with her fiancé, actor Rex Linn, and spoke briefly about the family while on the red carpet. She has publicly honored Blackstock in recent weeks and described relief that his long illness is over, saying that he is now "in eternal peace in God’s presence."
Blackstock’s death highlighted the extended family relationships formed through marriage and long-standing personal ties in the country and pop music communities, as relatives and friends have continued to share memories and support the four children in the months following his passing.
