The Voice is in the midst of filming their 28th season, but behind the scenes the cast and crew are mourning the death of producer and talent manager Brandon Blackstock.
“It’s been tough,” Carson Daly — who hosts the reality competition series — told Us Weekly exclusively at the opening night of Broadway’s Jeff Ross: Take a Banana for the Ride in New York City on Monday, August 18. “We all knew Brandon well, and we are a family.”
Us confirmed on August 7 that Blackstock died at the age of 48 after battling malignant melanoma for three years. He was previously married to Kelly Clarkson from 2013 to 2022, and they shared two children, River Rose, 11 and Remington, 9.
Blackstock was also the stepson of Reba McEntire, who was married to his father, music manager Narvel Blackstock, from 1989 to 2015.
McEntire, 70, is currently a coach on season 28 of The Voice, alongside Michael Bublé, Niall Horan and Snoop Dogg.
“I was working with [Reba] last week, everything was fresh, so we’ve just been sending our prayers and support to them,” Daly told Us. “It’s a terrible situation.”
Daly’s wife, Siri Pinter, added: “The Voice has always been a huge family-first atmosphere. Our kids were even raised there.”
Daly and Pinter, 44, share four children: Jackson, 16, Etta, 12, London, 10, and Goldie, 5.
“It’s really no different than what you would do for your family members,” Daly concluded. “You let them know you’re there, you’re praying for them [and] you’re giving them space at the same time.”
Blackstock is survived by his parents, his siblings, his four children and his grandchildren. Blackstock shared Savannah, 23, and Seth, 18, with first wife Melissa Ashworth, in addition to his two children with Clarkson, 43.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away. Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years,” a rep for Blackstock’s family told Us in a statement at the time, confirming his death. “He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
Following his death, Blackstock’s loved ones gathered in Montana — where he relocated after his divorce from Clarkson was finalized — to celebrate his life.
“Brandon’s closest friends and family gathered over the weekend for a few days to celebrate his life in the place he loved most. It was very private,” a source exclusively told Us on Tuesday, August 19, of the event. “His partner, Brittney [Marie Jones], his family and his closest friends spent time at his home sharing memories of Brandon and remembering how much he meant to them.”
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