Blake Shelton Chooses Friendship with Kelly Clarkson Over Her Ex Brandon Blackstock
NBC Reading Time: 4 minutes
Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock’s divorce has been full of bombshells, money-grabs, and tension. Not only does Brandon have a long history with Clarkson, but he also served as Blake Shelton’s manager. Over a year after Clarkson filed for divorce, Shelton has clearly chosen a side.
Blake Shelton Encouraged Brandon Blackstock to Propose to Kelly Clarkson
Shelton began working with Starstruck Entertainment in 2006. Clarkson was managed by Brandon’s father, Narvel Blackstock at the time. Clarkson and Brandon were first introduced to each other in 2006. Narvel reintroduced the pair to each other in 2012 and they bonded over both being from Fort Worth, Texas. Shelton is the one who encouraged Brandon to ask Clarkson to marry him.
“I told Brandon, ‘Man, you need to grow up and you figure out that you need to marry this girl,'” Shelton said in 2012. “I am going on the record saying, I will do the music at the wedding or whatever you want to do, I’ll be that guy. I will play for four hours if I have to, cause you need to get your head out of your a** and ask that girl to marry you.”
Blackstock took Shelton’s advice and proposed to Clarkson in 2012. They were married less than a year later in a ceremony that Shelton was initially supposed to officiate. The couple decided on a scaled-down elopement instead. Shelton continued to keep a great friendship with both Brandon and Clarkson all throughout their marriage. Clarkson got along well with Shelton’s then wife Miranda Lambert.
Shelton and Clarkson Started Working Together in 2018
Shelton brought Clarkson in to mentor his team in Season 2 of The Voice with Lambert. Clarkson later joined The Voice as a coach in Season 14. She became a huge threat to Team Blake with her knowledge of both the pop and country music genres. Despite Brandon having ties to both coaches, Clarkson insisted he was remaining neutral.
“He’s like Switzerland,” she said about which team Brandon would root for. “I always do say though that at least I put out — so unless he’s doing something I don’t know about, I should win!”
Clarkson has known Shelton for over a decade and their relationship has definitely grown into a sibling bond. Viewers see a bit of an on-screen rivalry when they coach together on The Voice. They talk so much smack and have become one of the most appealing parts of the show in recent seasons. Behind the scenes is a whole different story. The pair have always supported each other through the hardest moments of the their lives.
“Blake and Kelly are extremely close,” a source told Us Weekly. “Their friendship and bond goes beyond the business.”
Shelton Has Supported Clarkson Through All of the Drama
The entertainment world was rattled when news of Clarkson’s divorce hit the tabloids. Many wondered how Shelton would side given his working relationship and friendship with both Clarkson and Brandon. It became clear almost immediately that Shelton’s loyalty lies with Clarkson.
Brandon has decided to leave the entertainment world behind to become a full-time rancher. Shelton quickly began the search for new management and cut ties with Brandon. Brandon set his sights on making the former couple’s Montana ranch his permanent home and workplace. Clarkson does own the ranch and described it as a “financial burden” in court proceedings.
“Brandon has no involvement with Blake’s management,” an insider said. “His full-time job is no longer in California.”
In early August, Clarkson celebrated on The Voice set after her prenup was upheld. Clarkson reportedly let out a scream once she received the news. Brandon first contested the prenup asking that their properties and Clarkson’s income should be split down the middle. Shelton was on set celebrating with Clarkson the day the judge ruled in her favor.
It obviously hasn’t all been easy for Clarkson as she was ordered to pay nearly $200,000 per month in spousal and child support. She and Brandon are parents to River, 7 and Remington, 5. She decided to take some time off from her hectic life to enjoy a girls trip. The group went on to attend Shelton’s concert at Ball Arena in Colorado.
Obviously, the drama from Clarkson’s divorce is far from over. But, the entire situation has only strengthened her connection with Shelton and his wife Gwen Stefani. She can always lean on him off screen, and completely roast him when the cameras come on. Shelton and Clarkson will be continuing their banter on Season 21 of The Voice airing on September 20.
