Who Is Reba McEntire? The Country Star Who Stayed Close to Brandon Blackstock Until the End

Country icon Reba McEntire is mourning a devastating loss: Brandon Blackstock, her former stepson, has passed away at the age of 48 after a quiet but tough three-year battle with cancer. While Reba officially split from Brandon’s father, Narvel Blackstock, in 2015, her connection to Brandon never faded—and now, that long-standing bond is hitting fans right in the heart.

Reba McEntire: More Than Just a Country Legend

Often called “The Queen of Country,” Reba McEntire isn’t just known for her powerhouse vocals and decades of hits. She’s also been a steady, loving presence in her family’s lives—even when the family ties got complicated.

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Reba married Narvel Blackstock in 1989 and became an important part of Brandon’s world. Even after the couple called it quits, Reba continued to support Brandon, showing the kind of loyalty that doesn’t end with divorce papers.

A Family Bond That Outlasted Divorce

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Fans saw firsthand how Reba’s love for Brandon and his then-wife Kelly Clarkson stayed strong through the years. During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, Kelly once called her relationship with Reba “genuine.” Reba echoed the same energy, saying, “I love them both… Brandon’s my stepson, Kelly’s my good friend. I hope they’re happy and healthy.”

That wasn’t just lip service. Reba showed up for both of them—literally. When Kelly joined The Voice, she invited Reba to be her team’s Mega Mentor, giving the country star a chance to guide up-and-coming artists on a huge stage. Fans loved seeing them work together, and it was clear their connection ran deep.

Reba once shared with E! News, “We don’t get to see each other as much as we used to, and I hate that.” Even though their lives were busy and shifting, the bond was still there.

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Brandon’s Final Days Were Surrounded by Love

Just a few months before Brandon passed, The Sun reported that he had spent time with both Reba and Kelly at the Houston Rodeo in March, alongside other family members. What looked like just another family outing now holds so much more meaning.

Brandon, who worked as a talent manager and was once married to Kelly Clarkson, reportedly passed away surrounded by his loved ones. His split from Kelly in 2022 had its share of tough moments, but Reba never walked away. She stayed in his corner through the highs and lows, just like family should.

Kelly Clarkson Hit Pause for Her Kids and Brandon

Kelly Clarkson had also recently postponed her Las Vegas residency, and at the time, fans weren’t quite sure why. In a heartfelt post on social media, she explained she was stepping away to focus on her children, River and Remington, and revealed their father was seriously ill.

That decision feels even more understandable now. Brandon’s battle with cancer was kept mostly private, but those close to him clearly felt the weight of it. The fact that Kelly and Reba remained close to him until the end shows just how much love was still in the picture, even through pain, separation, and change.

A Heartbreaking Goodbye, A Lasting Legacy

Brandon Blackstock’s passing is a loss that hits multiple corners of the entertainment world—through his family, through Kelly Clarkson, and through Reba McEntire, the woman who once called him stepson but always treated him like her own.

In a world where relationships often get messy and distant after divorce, Reba proved that love doesn’t always have to follow the rules. And in saying goodbye to Brandon, she reminds everyone what family really means.