Brittney Jones moved to Montana to work for Blackstock’s ranch the same month Clarkson filed for divorce

Brandon Blackstock, the talent manager and ex-husband of Kelly Clarkson, passed away on August 7 at age 48 after a courageous battle with melanoma, leaving behind a complex legacy of personal triumphs and heartaches.

His obituary painted a picture of a man deeply connected to both his family and his business ventures, highlighting the role of his partner, Brittney Marie Jones, as his “beautiful and loving partner in life and business.”

But Jones’ history with Blackstock intertwines with the very public life of Clarkson, raising curiosity about the personal connections behind the headlines.

Brittney Jones, now 31, has a longstanding professional relationship with both Blackstock and Clarkson.

According to her LinkedIn profile, she served as Kelly Clarkson’s production assistant in Nashville from 2016 to 2018, a period during which Clarkson was managing a thriving music career following her “Piece by Piece” era.

In December 2018, Jones transitioned to an executive management assistant role under Blackstock while still handling day-to-day scheduling for Clarkson, demonstrating her trusted position within the inner circle of the singer’s professional life.

In June 2020, the same month Clarkson filed for divorce from Blackstock, Jones moved to Montana to work for his V Bar B Cattle Co., marking a significant shift both professionally and personally.

This move coincided with the early stages of Blackstock and Jones’ romantic relationship, which blossomed away from the Hollywood spotlight.

The timing, mere months after Clarkson’s divorce filing, drew attention but also illustrates how personal and professional worlds can overlap in the entertainment industry.

Blackstock’s obituary emphasized the depth of his relationship with Jones.

The couple not only shared a life together but also collaborated on business ventures, including Headwaters Livestock Auction and The Valley View Rodeo in Bozeman, Montana, which were intended to carry forward his legacy in the American West.

His father-in-law, Larry Jones, echoed the sentiment, describing Blackstock as his daughter’s “soulmate” and saying he considered him a son.

Tributes flooded social media, with Larry writing, “My sincere condolences to Brittney Jones and family. We’re sure going to miss your funny humor. R.I.P hoss!”

Blackstock’s life was defined by both family and career. He married Clarkson in 2013, and the couple had two children together: River, 11, and Remington, 9.

Their divorce, finalized in 2022, followed years of effort to “make it beautiful,” as Clarkson shared on the IRL podcast with Angie Martinez in 2023. “It rips you apart,” she said.

“Whenever you fall in love with someone and it doesn’t work… I wanted to make it awesome. I wanted to make it everything it possibly could be, and sometimes that just doesn’t happen.”

Blackstock also had two older children from his previous marriage to Melissa Ashworth: Seth, 18, and Savannah, 23, reflecting a family life that spanned both coasts and careers.

Professionally, Blackstock’s influence extended far beyond his personal relationships.

He was a respected talent manager who played a pivotal role in guiding Clarkson’s career and later branching into business ventures with Jones, blending his experience in entertainment with entrepreneurial ambitions in Montana.

The couple’s work with livestock auctions and rodeos highlighted a shared vision and a dedication to building tangible legacies outside the music industry, a contrast to the fast-paced life of Los Angeles and Nashville.

Jones’ background in the music industry gave her a unique perspective on both the entertainment world and Blackstock’s business ventures.

Her dual role as a professional assistant and a partner in Blackstock’s ranch operations reflects a rare balance of personal commitment and professional skill, something that those close to the couple recognized and admired.

Friends and family described the pair as inseparable in their later years, united not only by love but by shared goals and tireless work ethic.

Blackstock’s death marks the end of a chapter defined by resilience, both personal and professional. For Brittney Jones, it signifies the loss of a partner with whom she built a life from the ground up in Montana, far from the cameras and tabloids of Hollywood.

Tributes highlighted not just Blackstock’s public achievements but the warmth, humor, and dedication that defined him in private life—a life in which Jones played a central, irreplaceable role.

As the Blackstock family and Brittney Jones navigate their grief, the story also underscores the intertwined lives of Hollywood personalities, business ventures, and family dynamics.

From Nashville studios to Montana ranches, Blackstock’s journey reflects a life lived with passion, complexity, and devotion to those closest to him, leaving a legacy that will continue to shape both the entertainment and ranching worlds he touched.

Brandon Blackstock’s battle with melanoma, his enduring family ties, and his partnership with Brittney Jones illustrate a life of contrasts: public success and private devotion, heartbreak and love, and the persistence to create lasting legacies in multiple arenas.

As tributes continue to pour in, the narrative of his final years reminds the public of the intricate, often unseen threads that connect fame, family, and the people we choose to stand beside.