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Brandon Blackstock, former husband and manager of Kelly Clarkson, has filed a response to the lawsuit she filed against him in March.
A month after Clarkson’s lawsuit claimed she was entitled to more than the $2.6 million awarded by a California labor commissioner for alleged breaches of Blackstock’s managerial duties, Blackstock, 47, has requested its dismissal in a filing dated Monday, April 15.
According to court documents, Blackstock and his management firm Starstruck Management deny “each and every allegation” made by Clarkson. Clarkson, 41, alleged that Blackstock and Starstruck Management violated state labor laws since 2007 when she entered into an oral agreement with the company.
The filed papers in California argue that Clarkson’s lawsuit should be dismissed because the ruling made by the labor commissioner in November 2023 “is binding on Clarkson.” Blackstock claims that because Clarkson did not “file a notice of appeal within 10 days” from when the decision was made to request more than the $2,641,374 that was ruled upon, it is outside the proper jurisdiction to file a separate lawsuit now.
Blackstock also claims that the alleged illegal earnings he and Starstruck Management procured were already paid into his and Clarkson’s community estate and, if the Grammy winner were to be awarded more damages, the fee should be reduced because of that.
The papers also state, “[Clarkson’s] Complaint fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action against Starstruck and is, therefore, barred for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.”
The labor commissioner ruled that Blackstock and Starstruck Management violated California’s Talent Agencies Act, which states managers cannot procure or try to procure employment for artists unless they act in conjunction with a licensed agent.
Blackstock and his legal team filed an appeal in December of last year.
Clarkson brought forth her suit in mid-March, alleging Blackstock took fees for securing contracts with the Billboard Music Awards, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Norwegian Cruise Line, The Voice, and Wayfair.
In the filing, Clarkson asked for a “full and complete accounting from Starstruck of all monies received by Starstruck, directly or indirectly, in connection with any and all contracts, employment, or engagements pertaining in any way to the personal services of [Clarkson],” including commissions, fees, profits, advances, and producing fees.
Clarkson and Blackstock were married in October 2013, and he served as her manager from 2017 to 2020, the same year she filed for divorce in June.
The former couple shares two children, daughter River, 9, and son Remy, 8.
Their legal battle began amidst their divorce proceedings in September 2020 when Starstruck sued Clarkson, claiming she owed over $1.4 million in unpaid commissions. Clarkson then filed documents alleging Blackstock, Starstruck, and his associates violated the Talent Agencies Act.
Two years after Clarkson first filed for divorce, it was settled in 2022. She was ordered to pay her ex-husband a one-time payment of just over $1.3 million, as well as a monthly child support payment of $45,601.
