Reba McEntire cried on Monday night’s edition of NBC’s The Voice as she mourned her late stepson Brandon Blackstock, who died at 48 in August following a battle with cancer.
McEntire, 70, got emotional after contestant Aubrey Nicole delivered a rendition of the Martina McBride song I’m Gonna Love You Through It.
The topic of the song was an especially sensitive one, dealing with a woman whose spouse is supporting her through a breast cancer battle.
McEntire said that the song hit an emotional chord with her and thinking about the health battle Blackstock – who was married to Kelly Clarkson, 43, for seven years, and had two children with – endured at the end of his life
‘I lost my oldest son because he did not win with cancer so that was a real reminder that life goes on,’ McEntire said.
She continued: ‘We sing songs about it so that we can remember the ones that we love so much and that we lean on at times like this.’
Reba McEntire, 70, cried on Monday night’s edition of NBC’s The Voice as she mourned her late stepson Brandon Blackstock, who died at 48 in August. Pictured last month in LA
McEntire and Blackstock’s father Narvel, 69, had been married from 1989 until 1995; and are parents to son Shelby, 35.
The What Do You Say singer earlier this month told People about her relationship with Brandon, who she had known since he was a child and ‘helped raise.
‘My relationship with my stepson, Brandon Blackstock, was precious,’ McEntire said. ‘I absolutely loved that child.’
The Because of You performer said Brandon was ‘funny’ when he was a child and had a penchant for pranks.
‘Brandon is sorely missed, truly missed with his mischievousness and his love of life,’ McEntire said. ‘He brought joy to everybody that met him, and we’ll never forget him.’
Blackstock was father to four kids: daughter Savannah, 23, and son Seth, 18, from his past marriage to Melissa Ashworth; and with Clarkson, daughters River, 11, and Remy, nine.
McEntire last month spoke with Entertainment Tonight at the Emmys about how the family was dealing with the grieving process in the wake of Brandon’s death.
‘The kids are doing well, they’re all bonding together and hanging out with each other, and taking it one day at a time,’ McEntire said. ‘We know God’s got this.’
(L-R) Narvel Blackstock, Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock pictured in March 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona
Blackstock and Clarkson, pictured in 2020 in LA, were legally wed from 2013 to 2022
She added, ‘We miss him – we miss him every minute.’
McEntire left a poignant obit on Instagram August 12 following her stepson’s passing.
‘Last week, my stepson/oldest son Brandon Blackstock went home to be with God,’ McEntire said. ‘His struggle is over and he is in eternal peace in God’s presence.
‘There is no one else like him, and I’m thankful for the time we had together. His legacy and laughter will be carried on through his family. Rest in peace cowboy. Happy trails to you til we meet again.’
