Kelly Clarkson Sues Brandon Blackstock Ex-Husband Again, Alleging Unlicensed Talent Agency Violations
Grammy-winning singer Kelly Clarkson has filed a second lawsuit against her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, accusing him of operating as an unlicensed talent agent. The complaint, filed in Los Angeles, alleges that Blackstock and his father’s management company, Starstruck Entertainment, violated California labor laws, specifically the Talent Agencies Act.
Kelly Clarkson has initiated legal action against her former spouse, Brandon Blackstock, inshort Kelly Clarkson Sues Brandon Blackstock marking another chapter in their ongoing legal battle just months after securing a $2.6 million victory in a previous case last fall.
This new lawsuit, lodged in Los Angeles, targets both Blackstock and his father Narvel Blackstock’s company, Starstruck Entertainment, alleging infringement of California labor laws.
The crux of the dispute centers around accusations that Starstruck acted as an “unlicensed talent agency,” orchestrating business deals on Clarkson’s behalf since 2007 without the proper authorization mandated by the Talent Agencies Act.
The legal documents assert that the activities conducted by Starstruck are grounds for nullifying all contracts between the parties involved.
Kelly Clarkson Sues Brandon Blackstock Ex-Husband
Background:
Clarkson previously won a $2.6 million ruling against Blackstock in November 2023. The original lawsuit focused on Blackstock’s involvement in deals related to “The Voice,” Norwegian Cruise Lines, Wayfair, and the Billboard Music Awards.
The recent lawsuit expands the timeline, covering a period dating back to 2007.
Allegations:
Kelly Clarkson Sues Brandon Blackstock because she claims that Blackstock and Starstruck Entertainment acted as an unlicensed talent agency, booking business deals on her behalf. She seeks to have all agreements between the parties declared void and unenforceable.
The lawsuit demands that all monies previously paid by Clarkson to Starstruck be disgorged from the company.
Blackstock’s Response:
Blackstock’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, argues that it is morally, ethically, and legally wrong to seek money back from an ex-husband who helped manage Clarkson’s career during their marriage. Freedman contends that Blackstock used those earnings for their children and their lifestyle.
Ongoing Legal Battle:
While Blackstock is appealing the previous decision, the new lawsuit covers an additional 10 years beyond the original complaint.
Clarkson’s legal filings come after Starstruck Entertainment sued her in 2020 for $1.4 million in unpaid commissions related to her work on “The Voice” and “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”
Representatives for both Kelly, aged 41, and Brandon, aged 47, have yet to comment on these recent developments.
The backdrop to this lawsuit is a November 2023 ruling which found Brandon’s involvement in securing deals for Kelly with entities such as The Voice, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Wayfair, and the Billboard Music Awards to be unlawful.
This verdict highlighted a breach of California’s labor laws, which stipulate that only licensed talent agents are authorized to finalize employment contracts for their clients, with few exceptions.
Brandon is currently appealing this decision, but Kelly’s new lawsuit, which extends the timeframe of the dispute by an additional decade compared to her previous complaint, could potentially weaken his case further.
In response to Kelly’s latest legal move, Brandon’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, issued a statement to Rolling Stone, defending his client’s actions.
Freedman argued, “It is morally, ethically, and legally wrong to attempt to get monies back from your ex-husband who not only helped her as her manager but who used those earnings on their children and Kelly and Brandon’s lifestyle during the marriage.” This statement underscores the contention over the financial arrangements and contributions during their marriage.
As the legal battle continues, Kelly Clarkson Sues Brandon Blackstock Clarkson remains steadfast in seeking justice and accountability for her career earnings and professional representation.
