Reba McEntire Shares Heartfelt Grief Over Stepson Brandon Blackstock's Passing on The Voice

Country superstar Reba Mcentire got incredibly vulnerable on a recent episode of The Voice, opening up about the tragic loss of her stepson, Brandon Blackstock, and how a moving performance brought her deep emotions to the surface.

TL;DR

• Reba McEntire became visibly emotional on The Voice after an artist sang Martina McBride's "I'm Gonna Love You Through It."
• She revealed her stepson, Brandon Blackstock, passed away in August 2025 after battling melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
• McEntire shared that Brandon was like an "oldest son" to her and spoke fondly of his spirited personality.

A Moving Performance Ignites Deep Emotions on The Voice Stage

Things got seriously emotional on Season 28 of The Voice during the first round of Knockouts. Team Reba artist Aubrey Nicole stepped onto the stage and delivered a truly powerful rendition of Martina McBride's "I'm Gonna Love You Through It." If you know the song, you know it's a tear-jerker – it's all about loving someone through a serious illness, specifically cancer. Aubrey chose this tune to honor her own father, who bravely fought cancer when she first moved away for college. Thankfully, her dad is now in remission, but the song clearly resonated deeply with everyone in the room.

Even Coach Snoop Dogg, who admitted he'd never heard the song before, was visibly moved by Aubrey's performance. He shared that he'd lost many family members to cancer, so the raw emotion hit him right in the heart. But it was Reba McEntire, sitting alongside her fellow coaches, who felt the profound weight of the lyrics most acutely. Her eyes welled up, and it was clear that the song had tapped into something deeply personal and painful for her.

The show's mega mentor, Joe Walsh, had previously praised Aubrey during rehearsals. His wife is also a cancer survivor, so he understood the song's journey intimately. He wisely advised Aubrey on how to channel her powerful emotions without letting them overwhelm her artistry, guiding her to "step back a little bit in your mind" to deliver a performance that was both heartfelt and technically strong. Aubrey truly nailed that advice, bringing goosebumps to the coaches and the audience alike.

Reba McEntire's Heartbreaking Revelation About Her Stepson

As the applause died down and it was time for feedback, Reba struggled to compose herself. Snoop Dogg, ever the kind soul, quickly offered her a packet of tissues, which she gratefully accepted. It was in that moment of raw vulnerability that Reba shared her heartbreaking truth with the world, connecting Aubrey's performance to her own recent grief.

"I do know this song. Martina’s — I’ll need it, thank you, Snoop," McEntire began, dabbing her eyes. "Martina’s a good friend of mine. I lost my oldest son because he did not win with cancer. That was a real reminder that life goes on, and we sing songs about it so we can remember the ones around us that we love so much, that we lean on at times like this. You did a great job."

Her words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the universal struggle with loss and the unexpected ways grief can resurface. For McEntire, the song wasn't just a powerful performance; it was a mirror reflecting her recent sorrow, a raw wound reopened by the beauty and pain of Aubrey's voice. The audience and fellow coaches, including Snoop Dogg, who later humorously asked for his tissue back, were deeply affected by her honesty.

Understanding Reba's Deep Connection to Brandon Blackstock

The "oldest son" Reba referred to was her stepson, Brandon Blackstock, who sadly passed away in August 2025. While not her biological child, Reba had a profound and loving relationship with Brandon, treating him as one of her own children.

Reba was married to Brandon's father, Narvel Blackstock, from 1989 to 2015. Their blended family was clearly very important to her, as she openly spoke about helping to raise Brandon and Narvel's other children. "My relationship with my stepson Brandon Blackstock was precious. I absolutely love that child," she told People in October 2025. "He came into my life, I guess he was 4 years old? And then when Narvel and I got married, he was 13, 14, something like that? And along with his mom and dad, I helped raise him, along with [Narvel’s three other children, including Shelby]. They were my kids. I absolutely love all four of them. And they’re real tight, they’re very close."

Brandon wasn't just a stepson; he was a beloved member of the family known for his vibrant personality and mischievous sense of humor. Reba fondly recalled his love for pranks, sharing stories about him hiding behind pillars at the office to scare employees. "Brandon is sorely missed, truly missed," she elaborated. "With his mischievousness and his love of life, he brought joy to everybody that met him and we’ll never forget him."

Here's a quick look at Brandon Blackstock's family connections:

• Father: Narvel Blackstock (Reba McEntire's ex-husband)
• Stepmother: Reba McEntire
• Biological Mother: Elisa Gayle Ritter
• Siblings/Half-Siblings: Shawna Blackstock, Chassidy Blackstock, Shelby Blackstock (Reba and Narvel's son)
• First Wife: Melissa Ashworth (married 2001-2012)
• Children with Melissa: Savannah (in her 20s) and Seth (18)
• Second Wife: Kelly Clarkson (married 2013-2020)
• Children with Kelly: River (11) and Remington "Remy" (9)

Brandon's Battle with Melanoma and His Peaceful Passing

Brandon Blackstock's death on August 7, 2025, came after a private and courageous battle with melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, which he fought for more than three years. He was 48 years old at the time of his passing. The talent manager spent his final days peacefully at his home in Butte, Montana, receiving hospice care and surrounded by his loving family.

His family released a touching statement following his death, expressing their profound sadness:

"It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away. Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time."

Reba also shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram at the time, underscoring her deep affection: "Last week, my stepson/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 family. Rest in peace, cowboy. Happy trails to you 'til we meet again."

Even Brandon's ex-wife, Grammy-winner Kelly Clarkson, showed incredible support during his illness and after his passing. Despite their contentious divorce, which was finalized in 2022, Clarkson prioritized Brandon's time with their children, River and Remy. She even briefly stepped away from her eponymous talk show and canceled several Las Vegas residency concerts, demonstrating the family's collective grief and commitment to his well-being in his final months.

The Enduring Power of Music and Shared Human Emotion

The emotional moment on The Voice was a powerful reminder of how music can transcend entertainment and become a conduit for shared human experience. Aubrey Nicole's performance, rooted in her own family's cancer journey, unknowingly became a vessel for Reba McEntire's recent, profound loss. It highlighted the raw authenticity that makes reality competition shows so compelling.

Snoop Dogg's initial surprise at the song's impact, followed by his empathetic gesture of offering tissues, and later his lighthearted request to get them back, showcased the beautiful dynamic among the coaches. It allowed for a moment of collective healing and understanding, demonstrating that even amidst competition, genuine human connection prevails. Reba herself reflected on how country music, in particular, often taps into these deep emotions and real-life stories, offering comfort and remembrance.

Ultimately, Aubrey Nicole won her Knockout round, a victory that felt even more significant given the emotional weight of her performance and Reba's deeply personal response. It proved that the most memorable and impactful moments in television, and in life, are often those unscripted instances where vulnerability and truth shine through, connecting us all through our shared joys and sorrows.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reba's Emotional Moment When did Reba McEntire's stepson, Brandon Blackstock, pass away? Brandon Blackstock passed away in August 2025 after a battle with melanoma. What song did Aubrey Nicole sing that moved Reba McEntire so deeply? Aubrey Nicole performed Martina McBride's "I'm Gonna Love You Through It," a song about supporting a loved one through cancer. How was Brandon Blackstock related to Reba McEntire? Brandon Blackstock was Reba McEntire's stepson. Reba was married to Brandon's father, Narvel Blackstock, from 1989 to 2015, and helped raise Brandon from a young age. Did Kelly Clarkson react to Brandon Blackstock's passing? Yes, Brandon Blackstock was Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband. She reportedly prioritized his time with their children and briefly stepped away from her talk show and canceled concerts following his death. Sources

• Reba McEntire Opens Up About Brandon Blackstock's Death: "I Lost My Oldest Son" - NBC Insider
• Reba McEntire Breaks Down on 'The Voice' Over Stepson's Death - Rolling Stone
• Reba McEntire breaks down over stepson Brandon Blackstock's death - Page Six
• Reba McEntire’s Emotional Cancer Revelation - Entertainment Desk
• Reba McEntire Moved to Tears Over ‘The Voice’ Performance - 97.3 The Eagle