Kelly Clarkson has secured a notable legal victory, as a ruling from the California labor commissioner has determined that her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, must repay her over $2.6 million in commissions. These payments were made to Blackstock for securing various business deals during his time as her manager, including her well-known role as a judge on The Voice. This role should have been managed by her talent agents at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), raising questions about the legitimacy of Blackstock’s commissions.
Breach of the Talent Agencies Act
Commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower concluded that Blackstock violated the California Talent Agencies Act (TAA). This law prohibits individuals who are not licensed talent agents from arranging work for artists. As a result, Blackstock is mandated to reimburse Clarkson for commissions earned from four specific deals: approximately $1.98 million from The Voice, over $208,000 from promoting Norwegian Cruise Lines, $450,000 from promoting Wayfair, and $93.30 for hosting the Billboard Music Awards from 2018 to 2020.
Commissioner’s Decision on The Kelly Clarkson Show
While Clarkson will receive repayment for the aforementioned deals, the commissioner dismissed her claim that Blackstock should also repay commissions from The Kelly Clarkson Show. The ruling specified that Blackstock’s role in this deal was authorized by CAA and involved collaboration with her agents, thus falling outside the scope of the law’s violations.
Context of the Divorce
The backdrop of this legal matter lies in Clarkson’s divorce from Blackstock, which she filed for in June 2020 after a seven-year marriage. Their divorce was finalized in 2022, with Clarkson agreeing to pay monthly child support of $45,601 for their two children, as well as a one-time payment exceeding $1.3 million. This settlement underscores the complexities of their financial arrangements following the dissolution of their marriage.
Awaiting Further Reactions
As the implications of this ruling unfold, attorneys for both Clarkson and Blackstock have yet to provide comments. This legal outcome not only represents a financial win for Clarkson but also emphasizes her resilience in navigating challenges following her divorce. It will be interesting to see how this decision impacts both their futures in the entertainment industry.
