first showed up on E! Online.
Reba McEntire’s relationship with Brandon Blackstock didn’t require a fancy word.
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Because Brandon and his siblings, Shawna and Chassidy Blackstock, became family once she married his father, Narvel Blackstock, in 1989.
“I don’t consider Brandon, Chassidy, and Shawna stepchildren,” the singer stated in an interview with “The Boot” in 2010. “I claim them all.”
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Additionally, Brandon’s death at the age of 48 recently caused a devastating loss for their family, which also includes Shelby Blackstock, the son of Reba and Narvel.
According to a family representative, “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years,” as reported by NBC News on August 7. “He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family.”
Reba had shown her affection for Brandon and his siblings—whose mother is Elisa Gayle Ritter—during Brandon’s existence.
“I’m really pleased with all of my children. In 2012, Grammy winner Shawna, Brandon, Chassidy, and Shelby tweeted. “Love them to pieces!!!”
And when Kelly Clarkson married Brandon in 2013, Reba was happy to have her join the family.
“I think it’s going to be pretty neat,” the actress said to Katie Couric of having the “American Idol” winner as her daughter-in-law that identical year. “We have been friends for many years. Kelly asked me to sing with her at the ‘American Idol’ finale in 2002, which is when I first met her. After that, we went on a tour together and have since taken trips all over the world. She was simply a member of the family.
Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband Brandon Blackstock dies after cancer battle
How Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock navigated co-parenting
READ: How Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson Handled Co-Parenting Following Their Divorce
When Kelly and Brandon revealed later that year that they were expanding their family—with a daughter named River Rose making her debut in 2014 and joining the talent manager’s children from his first marriage, Savannah and Seth—the “Happy’s Place” actress was overjoyed.
Kelly Clarkson It gives Narvel and me great pleasure to write for you, Brandon, Savannah, and Seth! In November 2013, she tweeted. Love Granddad Narvel and Grandma Reba.
At the Kennedy Center Honors two years later, Kelly, who later welcomed son Remington “Remy” Alexander with Brandon in 2016, thanked Reba for “being a really rad grandma for my kids.”
Reba’s relationship with Narvel’s children persisted even after their 26-year marriage ended in 2015. Five years later, after Kelly and Brandon split up, she reiterated that sentiment, saying she still had a space in her heart for both of them.
In October 2021, five months before the ex-couple filed their divorce, she told Entertainment Tonight, “I love them both, and so I can’t play favorites.” “Because I’ve known Kelly for a very long time. It feels like Brandon has been my son forever. I adore him like he’s my blood, even if he’s my stepson. I love them both, so I’m praying for them both.”
Until the very end, that love was clear. Shelby shared a photo of Brandon, Reba, her boyfriend Rex Linn, Chassidy, Shawna, Savannah, and other family members at the Houston Rodeo five months before to Brandon’s death. The Instagram post from March 5 said that they had a great day spending precious time with their loved ones.
Images: Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson
