Kelly Clarkson’s divorce settlement included a reported $1,326,161 lump-sum payment, monthly spousal support scheduled to end in January 2024, and monthly child support. Separately, a California labor commissioner ordered her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, to repay $2,641,374 in commissions in 2023. The two figures describe different legal matters—and the commission case was later settled confidentially, so the final amount paid is not public.
What the reported divorce payments covered
Clarkson and Blackstock married in 2013. Clarkson filed for divorce in June 2020, and the divorce was finalized in March 2022. Us Weekly, citing court documents, reported these financial terms:
| Payment | Reported terms |
|---|---|
| One-time payment | $1,326,161, described as tax-free |
| Spousal support | $115,000 per month through January 2024 |
| Child support | $45,601 per month, reported to continue until the children turned 18, graduated high school, or became self-supporting |
Us Weekly also reported that Clarkson had primary custody. These are reported settlement terms, not proof that every scheduled payment was made. The reported spousal-support schedule ended well before Blackstock died in August 2025. The child-support arrangement was described separately and was tied to conditions involving the children.
Why a labor commissioner ordered Blackstock to repay commissions
The $2,641,374 figure did not come from the divorce. It arose from a California labor dispute over whether Blackstock and Starstruck Management Group had improperly procured work for Clarkson without the talent-agency license required under California law.
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After a multi-day hearing in March 2023, the California Labor Commissioner issued a determination on November 21, 2023, ordering repayment of commissions tied to four deals:
| Deal | Commission ordered repaid |
|---|---|
| The Voice | $1,983,155.70 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | $208,125 |
| Wayfair | $450,000 |
| Billboard Music Awards hosting | $93.30 |
| Total | $2,641,374 |
The ruling was not a blanket finding that every management commission was unlawful. The commissioner allowed Blackstock to keep roughly $750,000 in commissions connected to The Kelly Clarkson Show, finding that he worked with Clarkson’s licensed agents on that matter. The decision explained: “A manager, like any person without a talent agency license, cannot procure or attempt to procure employment for artists.” The Los Angeles Times reported the determination and quoted Labor Commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower.
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What happened to the $2.6 million award?
Blackstock appealed the commission determination. In May 2024, Clarkson and Blackstock’s company reached a confidential settlement in the related commission lawsuits and requested dismissal. Public reporting does not disclose the settlement amount or establish whether it matched, reduced, or otherwise resolved the commissioner’s award. It also does not document the final net cash paid by either side.
That means the $2,641,374 is the amount ordered in the 2023 determination—not a verified final payment. It should not be added to the divorce-settlement figures as though the combined total were paid or owed.
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How the dates change the headline
- March 2022: The divorce was finalized, with reported lump-sum and ongoing support terms.
- November 21, 2023: The labor commissioner ordered repayment of $2,641,374 in commissions on four deals.
- January 2024: The reported spousal-support schedule reached its end date. Us Weekly described Clarkson as making her final spousal-support payment that month.
- May 2024: The commission dispute was settled confidentially, and dismissal was requested.
- August 7, 2025: The Associated Press reported that Blackstock died at 48. A family representative said he had battled cancer for more than three years.
So, while Clarkson’s divorce settlement involved substantial payments to Blackstock, the available reporting does not support saying she was still paying him spousal support when he died. Nor does the separate commission award establish how much money ultimately changed hands after the confidential settlement.
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