Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband Brandon Blackstock died this week, but he is also related to another music royal: Reba McEntire.

Blackstock's family confirmed the death in a statement to USA TODAY on Thursday, Aug. 7.

"It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away," the statement read. The news comes one day after Clarkson, 43, announced on social media that the August dates of her Las Vegas residency will be postponed while she tends to her family.

The family statement said that Blackstock "bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family."

Blackstock was McEntire's stepson. McEntire married Blackstock's dad and fellow music manager Narvel Blackstock in 1989 and the two divorced in 2015. They had one son together of their own, race car driver Shelby Blackstock.

McEntire is one of the biggest stars in country music industry's modern era. A three-time Grammy winner, with 17 nominations, she has become a successful actress, including on the self-titled TV sitcom "Reba" from 2001 to 2007 and now on the NBC sitcom "Happy's Place," which premiered last year and returns for a second season this fall.

During a 2018 interview with People at the Academy of Country Music Awards, McEntire called Blackstock and Clarkson's children – River Rose, 11, and Remington "Remy," who is 9 – her grandchildren.

"I don't ever see the grandkids!" McEntire told People. "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."

After Clarkson and her husband announced their split in 2020, McEntire told "Entertainment Tonight" that she wasn't taking sides during the divorce.

"Brandon's been my son forever it seems. Although he's my stepson, I still love him like he's my total – my blood, so I'm praying for 'em both 'cause I love 'em both," McEntire said, but told ET's Rachel Smith that "Kelly and I do talk, we text and I love them both, and so I can't play favorites because I've been a friend of Kelly for a long time."

In 2023, Clarkson told Andy Cohen on "Watch What Happens Live!" that she and McEntire "text each other all the time," adding that they are "both women of sound mind that know that life doesn't work out sometimes," saying that "she would know best" because "it's literally the same thing."

"No hard feelings there. Just feelings!" Clarkson added. "We've even worked together since then — on 'The Voice' as well." On Season 23 of "The Voice" in 2023, McEntire served as mega mentor to contestants while Clarkson sat on the judging panel with Blake Shelton (who was once managed by the Blackstocks), Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper.

What type of cancer did Brandon Blackstock have?

Though Blackstock's family confirmed he battled cancer for three years, they have not disclosed the type of cancer he faced.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Reba McEntire's connection to Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, explained

Reporting by Jay Stahl, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect