Kelly Clarkson Sues Ex-Husband Again After Court Ordered Him To Return $2.6M In Overcharged Commission
Kelly Clarkson's legal battle with her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, continues.
On Monday, the "Kelly Clarkson Show" host filed a complaint in Los Angeles against Blackstock and his father Narvel Blackstock's management company, Starstruck Entertainment, for allegedly violating California labor laws, specifically the Talent Agencies Act, for acting as an "unlicensed talent agency" that booked business deals on her back dating back to 2007.
"Based on the wrongful acts and conduct of Starstruck ... all agreements between the parties should be declared void and unenforceable ... and all monies previously paid by cross-complainants to Starstruck should be disgorged from Starstruck, forthwith," her lawsuit obtained by Page Six on Thursday read.
Clarkson seeks reimbursement for the payments made to Starstruck Entertainment, including "commissions, fees, profits, advances, producing fees or other monies."
The "Because of You" singer's latest complaint comes months after her previous legal battle with him. In November, the California labor commissioner ruled that Blackstock overcharged the first "American Idol" winner. In the legal documents obtained by TMZ, Blackstock reportedly acted unlawfully when he booked gigs and inked deals on her behalf with "The Voice," Norwegian Cruise Lines, Wayfair and the Billboard Music Awards.
According to the labor commissioner, only talent agents and not managers can secure employment for their clients, with a few exceptions. Clarkson wanted Blackstock to return the percentage he earned after she scored her talk show "The Kelly Clarkson Show," but the labor commissioner argued that the money he made from the deal belonged to him.
The court ruled that Blackstock owed Clarkson a total of $2,641,374. He was ordered to pay Clarkson $1,983,155.70 for her coaching role on "The Voice," $208,125 for her collaboration with Norwegian Cruise Lines, $450,000 for her partnership with Wayfair and $93.30 after she thrice hosted the Billboard Music Awards.
Blackstock filed documents in a Los Angeles Superior Court on Nov. 30 to appeal the decision. He also requested a "de novo" trial, where the judge would hear the entire case again as if it were being heard for the first time, according to Today.
Page Six noted that he would have a weaker argument if Clarkson won her new lawsuit, which covered 10 more years from her former complaint.
Clarkson and Blackstock tied the knot on Oct. 20, 2013. She filed for divorce in June 2020, and they finalized it a year later.
The exes share a daughter, River Rose, 9, and a son, Remington "Remy" Alexander, 7.
