How Reba McEntire Supported Stepson Brandon Blackstock Before His Death

Reba McEntire and Brandon Blackstock’s dad, Narvel Blackstock, split a decade ago, but the country superstar was still there for the family in the months leading up to Brandon’s death.

“Reba has spent more time with the Blackstock crew in the past year than in years prior,” an insider exclusively tells Us Weekly, adding that past years were “contentious.”

“They really came together,” continues the insider.

Earlier this year, McEntire, 70, spent time with the Blackstocks at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where the Grammy winner was one of three headliners.

“When she did her rodeo concert, which was a big deal for her, she flew out the entire family and they made a family vacation out of it,” the source says. “They all spent a lot of time together.”

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McEntire’s son, Shelby Blackstock (whom she shares with Narvel, 68), shared several snaps from the event via Instagram in March. One photo showed McEntire posing with her boyfriend, Rex Linn, as well as Brandon and his eldest daughter, Savannah, 23, whom he shared with ex-wife Melissa Ashworth. (Brandon and Ashworth also welcomed a son, Seth, now 18, before their 2012 split.)

Brandon’s sisters, Chassidy and Shawna, were also in attendance at the rodeo, along with Shelby’s wife, Marissa.

Narvel Blackstock, singers Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night

“Narvel and his wife, Laura, and Reba’s boyfriend, Rex, are at a place where they can be together and talk, which is a big step,” the insider tells Us. “Reba has a heart of gold, and she was there for Brandon and his kids. They are family at the end of the day.”

McEntire and Narvel, who was the country icon’s manager, tied the knot in 1989. They announced their separation in 2015 and finalized their split later that year. She moved on with Linn, 68, in 2020.

Brandon died on Thursday, August 7, after privately fighting cancer for several years. He was 48.

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“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. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family,” a rep for the family told Us in a statement. “We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”

Following his marriage to Ashworth, Brandon — who was a talent manager, like his father — married Kelly Clarkson, who he previously managed. The former couple, who tied the knot in 2013, welcomed two children during their relationship: daughter River Rose, 11, and son Remington, 9. Brandon and Clarkson, 43, called it quits in 2020 and finalized their divorce in 2022.

One day prior to Brandon’s death, Clarkson announced the postponement of her Las Vegas residency, explaining that she needed to support her kids amid her ex-husband’s illness.

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“Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,” she wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, August 6. “While I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children’s father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them. I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”

After Brandon’s death, an insider told Us that Clarkson still wanted to protect her ex-husband’s privacy “even though they went through an acrimonious divorce.”

“He’d been sick for a while, but his health really took a turn for the worse earlier this year. That’s why she was MIA from her talk show,” the source explained, referring to Clarkson’s unexplained two-week absence from The Kelly Clarkson Show in late February and early March. “Out of respect, Kelly chose not to say anything publicly until it became clear this week that Brandon wasn’t going to make it.”

Clarkson’s next round of Las Vegas shows are seemingly still scheduled for November. The seventh season of her eponymous talk show is expected to premiere later this year, but a return date has not been confirmed.

With reporting by Paola Leva