Brandon Blackstockhelped orchestrate several business deals for his ex-wifeKelly Clarksonwhile serving as her manager — but he wasn’t supposed to, a California labor commissioner has ruled.
Art Streiber/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty; Taylor Hill/Getty
“Under the Talent Agencies Act (TAA), a manager, like any person without a talent agency license, cannot procure or attempt to procure employment for artists,” reads the ruling.
Kelly Clarkson.Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty
Documents state that Blackstock was paid commissions for each of Clarkson’s aforementioned gigs, including $1,983,155.70 for her deal as a coach onThe Voice, $208,125 for a promotional deal with NCL, $450,000 for a collaboration with Wayfair and $93.30 for her multi-year contract as theBillboardMusic Awards host — all of which must now be paid back to the “Miss Independent” singer.
Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson.Kevin Mazur/Getty
Kevin Mazur/Getty
Reps for Clarkson did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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Clarkson and Blackstock were married for nearly seven years before she filed for divorce in June 2020, which wasfinalized two years later. The pair shares two children:daughter River Rose and son Remington Alexander. (Blackstock is also father to son Seth anddaughter Savannahfrom his previous marriage to Melissa Ashworth.)
Kelly Clarkson, Brandon Blackstock, Savannah Blackstock, River Rose Blackstock, Remington Alexander Blackstock and Seth Blackstock.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
During a March episode of Angie Martinez’sIRLpodcast, Clarkson spoke about how her divorce has impacted their kids.
“I literally ask my kids every night when we’re snuggling up in the bed, ‘Are you happy? And if you’re not, what could make you happier?'” she shared at the time. “A lot of times they’ll be like, ‘You know, I’m just really sad. I wish Mommy and Daddy were in the same house.'”
Clarkson added: “They’re really honest about it. I get it. I’m from a divorced family as well. It sucks.”
source: people.com
