Celebrity Celebrity Relationships Celebrity Breakups Kelly Clarkson's Ex Brandon Blackstock Must Pay Her over $2.6 Million for 'Unlawfully Procured' Business Deals A California labor commissioner ruled Blackstock wrongfully orchestrated several of Clarkson's business deals while serving as her manager By Jack Irvin Jack Irvin Jack Irvin has over five years of experience working in digital journalism, and he’s worked at PEOPLE since 2022. Jack started in the industry with internships at Rolling Stone and Entertainment Tonight, and he worked as a freelance writer for publications including Bustle, MTV News, Shondaland, L’Officiel USA, Ladygunn, Flood and PopCrush before joining PEOPLE. In his current role, Jack covers daily music news and has interviewed both up-and-coming and established artists including Dolly Parton, Michelle Branch, Ashanti, Cyndi Lauper, Normani, Carly Rae Jepsen and Coco Jones. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 1, 2023 11:36AM EST Brandon Blackstock helped orchestrate several business deals for his ex-wife Kelly Clarkson while serving as her manager — but he wasn't supposed to, a California labor commissioner has ruled. Earlier this month, Clarkson scored a victory in her latest legal battle against Blackstock. According to documents obtained by PEOPLE, he's been ordered to pay her $2,641,374 for overstepping in his managerial role and unlawfully procuring deals that should've been handled by a talent agent. His legal team has filed to appeal the ruling. The suit filed by Clarkson, 41, claimed Blackstock, 46, secured the Grammy winner contracts with The Voice, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Norwegian Cruise Line, Wayfair and the Billboard Music Awards and took fees in return. Art Streiber/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty; Taylor Hill/Getty Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock's Relationship Timeline While Blackstock was ruled to not have crossed the line as a manager with the Kelly Clarkson Show contract, per the documents, the other four deals should have been conducted by Clarkson's team at Creative Artists Agency. "Under the Talent Agencies Act (TAA), a manager, like any person without a talent agency license, cannot procure or attempt to procure employment for artists," reads the ruling. Kelly Clarkson. Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Documents state that Blackstock was paid commissions for each of Clarkson's aforementioned gigs, including $1,983,155.70 for her deal as a coach on The Voice, $208,125 for a promotional deal with NCL, $450,000 for a collaboration with Wayfair and $93.30 for her multi-year contract as the Billboard Music Awards host — all of which must now be paid back to the "Miss Independent" singer. Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson. Kevin Mazur/Getty Kelly Clarkson Felt 'Depressed' for Years Before Moving to NYC: 'I Really Needed the Change' (Exclusive) Reps for Clarkson did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Clarkson and Blackstock were married for nearly seven years before she filed for divorce in June 2020, which was finalized two years later. The pair shares two children: daughter River Rose and son Remington Alexander. (Blackstock is also father to son Seth and daughter Savannah from his previous marriage to Melissa Ashworth.) Kelly Clarkson, Brandon Blackstock, Savannah Blackstock, River Rose Blackstock, Remington Alexander Blackstock and Seth Blackstock. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic During a March episode of Angie Martinez's IRL podcast, Clarkson spoke about how her divorce has impacted their kids. "I literally ask my kids every night when we're snuggling up in the bed, 'Are you happy? And if you're not, what could make you happier?'" she shared at the time. "A lot of times they'll be like, 'You know, I'm just really sad. I wish Mommy and Daddy were in the same house.'" Clarkson added: "They're really honest about it. I get it. I'm from a divorced family as well. It sucks."