Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, has been directed to reimburse $2,641,374 after allegedly overcharging the singer during his tenure as her manager.
The California labor commissioner determined that Brandon had exceeded appropriate charges when securing various opportunities for the "Since U Been Gone" singer, including roles on "The Voice," Norwegian Cruise Line, Wayfair, and hosting the Billboard Music Awards, per TMZ.
According to the commissioner, only agents, not managers, are legally permitted to secure roles for talent, with limited exceptions.
Brandon Blackstock, who reportedly plans to appeal the decision, owes Kelly the substantial sum, which includes a significant commission he earned from her role on "The Voice."
Despite Kelly's attempt to claim a portion of the earnings from her talk show, "The Kelly Clarkson Show," the labor commissioner ruled in favor of her ex-husband.
Legal Battle
The legal battle follows Kelly Clarkson's divorce filing in June 2020 after nearly seven years of marriage.
The former couple reached a settlement in March 2022, which included Kelly being granted primary custody of their two children and retaining ownership of their shared Montana ranch.
Kelly has agreed to provide Blackstock with a lump sum of $1.3 million, in addition to a monthly spousal support of $115,000 until January 2024.
As of March 2022, an exclusive source informed Us Weekly that Kelly and Brandon had made significant progress in their relationship dynamics.
The insider mentioned, "She has developed a strong coparenting relationship with Brandon, but their personal relationship has faced its share of challenges in the past. Nevertheless, they have come a long way and are effectively managing things concerning their children."
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Fresh Start
Reflecting on the challenges of the past, the award-winning singer acknowledged the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on relationships and expressed contentment with her single status.
She emphasized her love for being single, citing the responsibilities of parenting, multiple pets, and various jobs as factors that make it challenging to pursue a new romantic relationship.
Kelly shared her perspective with followers on Instagram, emphasizing the difficulty of starting over after envisioning a lifelong commitment that did not materialize.
The family relocated to New York City shortly after the divorce was finalized, providing a fresh start for the "Breakaway" hitmaker.
"I knew I needed a fresh start and couldn't be in Los Angeles. I really wanted to be in Montana, but you can't really do a show from there quite yet," Kelly told USA Today.
"So I was like, 'The only other option would probably be New York.' ... I genuinely love it, and I love that my kids love it."
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