Kelly Clarkson's latest court win against ex-husband Brandon Blackstock will net her a multimillion-dollar payout.
Blackstock owes the talk-show host and Grammy-winning musician over $2.6 million in commissions for overstepping his managerial obligations, a California labor commissioner determined last month.
Court records acquired by The Times allege that Clarkson's country music manager “‘unlawfully procured” multiple business deals that should have been handled by CAA's certified talent agents.
Labor Commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower found 46-year-old Blackstock in violation of the Talent Agencies Act on Nov. 21. “A manager, like any person without a talent agency license, cannot procure or attempt to procure employment for artists” under TAA, the court added.
Blackstock, the stepson of Reba McEntire and the son of Starstruck Management owner Narvel Blackstock, must pay back commissions on four deals: $1,983,155.70 for the lucrative judging spot on NBC's “The Voice”;
$208,125 for a promotional deal with Norwegian Cruise Lines; $450,000 for a collaboration with Wayfair; and $93.30 to host the Billboard Music Awards from 2018 to 2020. Blackstock owes “Since U Been Gone” vocalist $2,641,374.
The 41-year-old singer expanded her empire with “The Kelly Clarkson Show” on daytime TV. The commissioner found that Blackstock “clearly worked in conjunction with Clarkson’s licensed agents” to obtain the talk program, despite Clarkson’s request to pay back commissions. On Thursday, Blackstock's counsel appealed and requested a new trial.
Clarkson's counsel didn't comment on the ruling. Friday, Blackstock representatives did not respond to The Times' request for comment.