Country icon Reba McEntire opened her heart on ‘The Voice,’ sharing her profound grief over the loss of her stepson, Brandon Blackstock, and reminding us of the enduring power of family and song in the face of tragedy.
During a poignant moment on the Monday, October 27, 2025, episode of NBC’s ‘The Voice,’ legendary country singer Reba McEntire became deeply emotional as she publicly remembered her late stepson, Brandon Blackstock. The heartfelt tribute came after a moving performance by contestant Aubrey Nicole, who sang Martina McBride’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” — a powerful ballad about a couple facing a cancer diagnosis.
McEntire, 70, visibly teared up during the show, sharing a profound personal connection to the song’s theme. “I lost my oldest son because he did not win with cancer,” she stated, her voice breaking with emotion. Fellow coach Snoop Dogg immediately offered her tissues, underscoring the raw honesty of the moment.
Brandon Blackstock’s Battle with Melanoma
Brandon Blackstock, a music manager and the son of McEntire’s former husband, Narvel Blackstock, passed away on August 7, 2025, at the age of 48. His death was caused by melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, following a private three-year battle with the disease. The news of his passing was confirmed by Us Weekly in August.
A representative for the Blackstock family released a statement at the time of his death, confirming his courageous fight: “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. 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.”
A \”Precious\” Relationship: Reba’s Bond with Brandon
Reba McEntire’s relationship with Brandon Blackstock was a significant part of her life for decades. She was married to his father, Narvel Blackstock, from 1989 to 2015. Speaking to People earlier this month, McEntire described their bond as “precious.”
She recalled knowing Brandon from a very young age. “I absolutely loved that child. He came into my life, I guess he was 4 years old. Then when Narvel and I got married, he was 13, 14.”
McEntire considered all of Narvel’s children from a previous marriage, including Brandon and his sisters Shawna and Chassidy, as her own. “Along with his mom and dad, I helped raise him, along with [step kids] Shawna and Chassidy. They were my kids,” she shared.
A Life Full of Joy and Mischief
Beyond his professional life as a talent manager, Brandon Blackstock was remembered by McEntire for his vibrant personality and sense of humor. “He was so funny and loved to pull pranks,” she recounted to People. “He loved to scare people.”
McEntire fondly recalled his playful nature, particularly at Narvel’s Starstruck Entertainment office in Nashville.
- He would hide behind pillars.
- He enjoyed surprising employees, like Penny Chubb, on their way to the ladies’ room.
“Brandon is sorely missed, truly missed with his mischievousness and his love of life. He brought joy to everybody that met him, and we’ll never forget him,” McEntire affirmed.
Connecting Through Song and Shared Grief
The performance of “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” served as a poignant reminder for Reba, connecting her personal grief with the universal experience of loss. “That was a real reminder that life goes on, and we sing songs about it so we can remember the ones around us that we love so much, that we lean on at times like this. You did a great job,” she told the contestant.
Brandon Blackstock was also widely known as the ex-husband of Grammy-winning singer Kelly Clarkson. They were married in 2013 and shared two children, River Rose (born 2014) and Remington Alexander (born 2016). Brandon was also a father to Savannah and Seth from a previous marriage to Melissa Ashworth.
One month after Brandon’s death, McEntire provided an update on how his children were coping. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight in September, she said, “The kids are doing well, they’re all bonding together and hanging out with each other, and taking it one day at a time. We know God’s got this.”
Reba McEntire’s emotional moment on ‘The Voice’ highlighted her deep connection to her stepson and the enduring impact of his loss, resonating with fans and fellow artists alike as a powerful testament to love and remembrance.
