Kelly Clarkson has sued her ex Brandon Blackstock amid their ongoing three-year legal battle.
The singer filed for divorce back in 2020, after nearly seven years of marriage and having two children together.
The 45-year-old managed his wife Kelly’s career, throughout their marriage.
The talk show host has now filed a countersuit against her former husband and his father Narvel Blackstock’s management firm, months after they appealed a decision by a California agency that ordered the group to repay the singer $2.6 million, that they had received in commissions when Brandon worked as her manager.
In her cross-complaint filed on March 11 and obtained by E! News, Kelly’s lawyers alleged that during her time working with her ex and dad’s company Starstruck Entertainment between 2007 and 2020—the year she filed for divorce from Brandon, the group violated labour laws because it was not licensed as talent agency.
Her lawyers argued: “All agreements between the parties should be declared void and unenforceable” and that Kelly should pay no additional money to Starstruck, adding that she is “entitled to a full and complete accounting from Starstruck of all monies received by Starstruck” in connection with her contracts and work performed during her time signed with them.
The pair’s court battle began back in September 2020.
Starstruck initially sued the singer, alleging that she owed $1.4 million in unpaid commissions for her work on The Voice and The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Kelly’s legal team later filed a motion to halt the lawsuit.
She also submitted a petition to the California Labour Commission alleging that her ex demanded “unconscionable fees and compensation,” acted “in conflict of interest with [her] best interests,” and was never a legally certified talent agent during the time she was signed to his group.
A previous report last year, revealed that a California labour commissioner ruled that the singer’s ex-husband overcharged the Grammy winner by seven figures when he represented her.
In court documents obtained by TMZ, Brandon reportedly crossed a line when he booked gigs and drafted deals on behalf of Kelly on The Voice, Norwegian Cruise Line, Wayfair, and as host of the Billboard Music Awards.
The publication reported that only agents, not managers, can lawfully secure roles for their talent.
