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On The Voice, losing Brandon Blackstock resonated deeply with Reba McEntire.
The ex-husband of Kelly Clarkson, Blackstock passed away this past summer.
Naturally, the tragic loss of her stepson surfaced in the form of song.
One moving and beautiful performance struck just a little too close to home for Reba. However, that wasn’t a bad thing.
Actress Reba McEntire arrives for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre at LA Live in Los Angeles on September 14, 2025. (Photo Credit: PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)Reba McEntire had a bittersweet experience on ‘The Voice’
On the Monday, October 27 episode of The Voice, Reba McEntire could not help but reflect on Brandon Blackstock’s passing.
Music is an evocative experience, stirring up emotion and memory — second only to smell when it comes to recalling the past.
Reba felt that personally when Team Reba artist Aubrey Nicole performed during the episode.
“I’m Gonna Love You Through It” is a song by Martina McBride.
The lyrics narrate a couple dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
“Martina’s a good friend of mine,” Reba commented after the performance.
She acknowledged: “I lost my oldest son because he did not win against cancer.”
Reba was referring, of course, to stepson Brandon Blackstock. He passed away on August 7, at the age of 48, after battling melanoma.
“That was a real reminder that life goes on,” Reba affirmed. “And we sing songs about it so we can remember those around us that we love so much and lean on during times like this.”
She praised Aubrey Nicole, saying: “You did a great job.”
Producer Narvel Blackstock, singers Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock attend Muhammad Ali’s Celebrity Fight Night XXI at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa on March 28, 2015. (Photo Credit: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night)Brandon Blackstock was part of her life for most of his
Sometimes, adults marry and find themselves with an adult stepchild whom they see infrequently and get to know slowly — if at all.
But that is not how things unfolded for Reba.
She married Narvel Blackstock in 1989. The two only separated in 2015 after Brandon had married Kelly Clarkson.
To put this into perspective, Brandon was part of Reba’s life for the entirety of Taylor Swift’s life.
When she talks about losing him, she’s referring to someone she knew and loved for nearly four decades.
Last week, my stepson and oldest son Brandon Blackstock went home to be with God. 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… pic.twitter.com/vIQF6CmFdI
— Reba McEntire (@reba) August 13, 2025
In August, it fell to Shelby — Brandon Blackstock’s half-brother and son of Reba McEntire with Narvel — to share the McEntire family’s grief.
“Words cannot begin to capture the tremendous loss our family has endured,” Shelby wrote at the time.
“Yesterday, we lost a brother, a father, a grandfather, and a son,” he solemnly acknowledged.
The statement concluded: “Brandon Blackstock was an irreplaceable part of our family — funny, bright, and full of life — and he will be deeply missed.”
Reba replied to that with a tasteful addition: “Very well said Shelby. Yes we will miss him so much.”
Reba McEntire attends Variety Power Of Women: Nashville on May 01, 2025. (Photo Credit: Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images)Obviously, she has spoken about this loss before now
Meanwhile, Reba posted her own tribute.
“Last week, my stepson and oldest son Brandon Blackstock went home to be with God,” she wrote in a tweet.
“His struggle is over and he is in eternal peace in God’s presence,” she announced. “There is no one else like him, and I’m thankful for the time we had together.”
Reba concluded: “His legacy and laughter will be carried on through his family. Rest in peace cowboy. Happy trails to you until we meet again.”
As many know, grief is not a linear progression. Eventually you may feel fine for days or weeks — then the loss will hit you anew. A powerful song can be both evocative and bittersweet.
