Kelly Clarkson’s Montana ranch story has all the makings of a country song – heartache, legal battles, and a triumphant finale.
After a judge ruled the $10.4 million property was rightfully hers, she then had to convince her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, to hit the road.
Keep reading to learn what happened to the ranch and Blackstock!
Kelly Clarkson, the original American Idol, captivated the world with her powerhouse vocals and heartfelt lyrics. The singer is known as one of the best talents the show has ever found.
However, as amazing as her career has gone, her relationship with Brandon Blackstock – the stepson of country music legend Reba McEntire – was filled with just as much emotion and unexpected twists as her biggest hits.
The singer of “A Moment Like This” and her former manager, who wed in 2013, seemed to be the ultimate duo and fans couldn’t get enough of their chemistry, both on and off stage.
But, in June 2020, the 42-year-old filed for divorce after nearly seven years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.
Recently, an insider told Page Six that the hitmaker “felt single” when she was married to Blackstock, 48.
“As time went on in their marriage, Kelly didn’t feel like she had a partner,” the source explains. “Kelly felt single in a lot of ways even while she and Brandon were still married.”
Divorce battle
What followed was a messy legal battle that included disputes over finances, custody of their two children – daughter River, 10, and son Remington, 8 – and ownership of their $10.4 million Montana ranch.
The sprawling estate, which features rustic log cabins, lush pastures, and breathtaking mountain views, is the kind of place that screams relaxation, creativity, and some horseback riding.
The ranch was purchased during Kelly Clarkson and Blackstock’s marriage, making it a key asset in their high-profile divorce. While Clarkson envisioned the property as a retreat, Reba McEntire’s former stepson Blackstock saw it as his dream ranching headquarters – a clash that would spark a drawn-out legal battle.
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Marital property
Blackstock, who shifted his career focus from managing artists to becoming a full-time rancher, argued that relocating would disrupt his lifestyle and plans.
In 2021, a judge ruled that the ranch belonged to Kelly Clarkson, citing her prenuptial agreement.
“The Court further finds that the Montana Ranch and the other two Montana properties are not titled in both of the Parties’ names either as joint tenants with right of survivorship or as tenants by the entireties, as required under the PMA to create marital property,” People reports of the court documents. “The Court therefore rejects Respondent’s [Blackstock’s] position that the Montana Ranch and other Montana properties are marital property owned 50/50 by the Parties.”
The decision was a major win for the pop powerhouse, but there was one problem: Blackstock wasn’t leaving. Despite the court’s ruling, he stayed put, claiming he needed time to relocate his burgeoning ranching business.
To stay on the property, Blackstock was required to pay $12,500 in monthly rent and in June 2022, he finally vacated.
‘Wanted to make it beautiful’
The host of the Kelly Clarkson Show was awarded primary physical custody of the two children and is now living in New York. And in 2023, Blackstock was ordered to pay his ex-wife $2,641,374 for “overstepping in his managerial role and unlawfully procuring deals,” according to People.
“I think the thing about divorce – especially having it publicized, and people thinking they know the whole thing – the hardest part of that is, like, it wasn’t an overnight decision.” The “Stronger” singer told People. “I wanted to make it beautiful. I wanted to make it awesome. I wanted to make it everything it possibly could be, and sometimes that just doesn’t happen.”
Ranching headquarters
Now Blackstock is still living the cowboy life in Montana. The famous singer’s ex-husband founded Valley View Rodeo in 2023, “a multi-faceted organization dedicated to keeping the western lifestyle alive in the modern day.”
And, his executive assistant is Brittany Jones, who according to her LinkedIn “managed day to day for artist, Kelly Clarkson under manager, Brandon Blackstock in Los Angeles for music and television.”
Jones’ profile also shares that “after a change in management for Ms. Clarkson,” she “transitioned to Executive Assistant for Mr. Blackstock’s cattle operation in Montana” where she runs “the office and administration work,” and fulfills “personal assistant duties for Mr. Blackstock.”
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