How Reba McEntire supported ex-stepson Brandon Blackstock’s death

Reba McEntire brought the family together in the last months of Brandon Blackstock’s life.

The “Fancy” singer’s former stepson, who was also Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, died on Thursday, August 7, at age 48 after a private battle with cancer.

Sources are now sharing how McEntire, 70, was there for Blackstock before his passing. The Grammy winner was previously married to Blackstock’s father, Narvel Blackstock.

“Reba has spent more time with the Blackstock crew in the past year than in years prior,” an insider told Us Weekly in an interview published on Friday, August 8.

While the source noted that the years past were “contentious,” they added that McEntire, her ex-husband and the rest of the clan “really came together” in the past several months.

In March, the country superstar was photographed smiling sweetly at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo alongside her ailing ex-stepson and her biological son, Shelby, the only child she shares with Narvel.

McEntire was also one of the three headliners at the event, with the source sharing that the exes pushed their feelings aside and were a united front in the months leading up to Blackstock’s passing.

“Narvel and his wife, Laura, and Reba’s boyfriend, Rex, are at a place where they can be together and talk, which is a big step,” the insider told the outlet. “Reba has a heart of gold, and she was there for Brandon and his kids. They are family at the end of the day.”

McEntire and Blackstock’s father married in 1989 while he was her music manager. They announced their separation in 2015 and finalized their divorce that year.

The “Consider Me Gone” singer has been in a committed relationship with actor Rex Linn, 68, since 2020.

More than a decade before his passing, McEntire spoke about her unbreakable bond with her stepchildren, which also included Narvel’s other children from his first marriage, Chassidy and Shawna.

“I don’t consider Brandon, Chassidy and Shawna [Blackstock] stepchildren. I claim them all,” she told The Boot in 2010.

However, the country superstar revealed years later that time and distance made it hard to stay a family unit.

“I don’t ever see the grandkids,” she confessed to People in 2018. “It was a lot better when everybody was not so busy, but I’ve got seven grandchildren, so they’re scattered all over the country and busy doing stuff. But I love them.”

McEntire’s love for Blackstock never wavered, though.

“Brandon’s been my son forever, it seems,” she told Entertainment Tonight in 2021, just four years before his death. “Although he’s my stepson, I still love him like he’s my total — my blood, so I’m praying for them both because I love them both.”

She also had a tight relationship with Blackstock’s ex-wife, Clarkson.

In 2023, the singers appeared on Season 23 of “The Voice,” with Clarkson serving as judge and McEntire as a mega mentor.

Blackstock and the “Since U Been Gone” singer married in 2013, and they had two children together: daughter River, 11, and son Remington “Remy,” 9. He also had two kids from his first marriage: daughter Savannah, 23, and son, Seth, 18.

Clarkson filed for divorce in 2020, citing irreconcilable differences, but their battle was drawn-out and contentious.

Despite the bad blood, sources told Page Six that the talk show host was there for Blackstock, caring for him and bringing their kids to visit their father, up until his death.

She canceled the remaining August shows of her Las Vegas residency the night before her ex-husband’s passing, revealing that Blackstock was seriously ill.

Hours later, his family announced he had passed away.

“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has died. Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years,” his family said in a statement obtained by The Post.

“He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time,” they concluded.

McEntire’s son, Shelby, paid tribute to his half-brother in an emotional separate post.

“Words cannot begin to capture the tremendous loss our family has endured. Yesterday, we lost a brother, a father, a grandfather, and a son,” Shelby wrote. “Brandon Blackstock was an irreplaceable part of our family—funny, bright, and full of life—and he will be deeply missed.”

Clarkson is said to be “devastated” for her kids.

She sparked concern earlier this year when she went missing in action from “The Kelly Clarkson Show” without explanation.

Insiders confirmed to Page Six that the singer-songwriter’s absences this past season were due to Blackstock’s illness, with sources telling TMZ that new episodes of Clarkson’s syndicated program are still slated to air in September despite her ex-husband’s death.