Brandon Blackstock’s last red carpet appearance with Kelly Clarkson occurred nearly six years before he died from cancer.
Blackstock and Clarkson, who were married at the time, stepped out for the Critics’ Choice Awards in January 2020.
The pair walked the red carpet and posed for photos together.
Blackstock sported a classic black suit and tie with a white button-down, while Clarkson looked elegant in a long-sleeved black velvet gown with a plunging neckline and ruffle accents.
The singer styled her highlighted hair in voluminous waves and completed her look with a smokey eye and red lip.
She and Blackstock — who served as her talent manager for many years — wrapped their arms around each other and smiled for the shutterbugs, giving no indication that there was anything wrong with their marriage.
Five months later, however, Clarkson — who shared daughter River, 11, and son Remington, 9, with Blackstock — filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences.”
They were declared legally single the following August.
The duo settled their divorce, which the “American Idol” Season 1 winner has described as traumatic, in March 2022.
Despite their contentious split, Clarkson, 43, was still there for Blackstock as his health declined.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” a family spokesperson told Page Six on Thursday, adding that he “bravely battled cancer for more than three years.”
Blackstock reportedly had melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.
“He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family,” the statement continued. “We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
Blackstock, whom we were told had recently entered hospice, was 48.
The day before he died, Clarkson announced that she had to cancel the remaining August dates of her Las Vegas residency because her ex-husband was “ill” and she needed to be “fully present” for their children.
