Kelly Clarkson‘s ex, Brandon Blackstock, owes her $2,641,374 for allegedly making business deals on her behalf against the law, according to a California labor commissioner.
People reports that Golden State law requires that managers cannot act as agents, so the commissions he was paid for securing the singer’s contracts with The Voice, Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), those omnipresent Wayfair commercials, and the Billboard Music Awards must be paid back to Clarkson.
“Under the Talent Agencies Act (TAA), a manager, like any person without a talent agency license, cannot procure or attempt to procure employment for artists,” the ruling reads, according to People.
Although Blackstock was ruled to have not overstepped his managerial role with her Kelly Clarkson Show contract, the other deals should have been handled by Creative Artists Agency (CAA, per the outlet.
What he owes the “Stronger” singer breaks down as such: $1,983,155.70 for a commission he took for The Voice, $208,125 for NCL, $450,000 for Wayfair, and a full $93.30 for her hosting gig at the Billboard Music Awards.
A rep for Kelly Clarkson did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone’s request for comment. TMZ reports that Blackstock intends to appeal the decision.
Clarkson married Blackstock, who is the son of her former manager Narvel Blackstock, in 2013 and filed for divorce in 2020, citing irreconcilable differences. A judge made the split final last year. Her latest album, Chemistry, which came out in June, bears many songs that allude to the divorce.
