The legal back and forth between Kelly Clarkson and estranged husband Brandon Blackstock is growing increasingly tense after the American Idol alum’s legal team responded to Blacksock’s denial that he and his father Clarkson cheated millions.
Clarkson and Blackstock have been at war against each other since October, then Kelly’s former Narvel Blackstock’s father-in-law filed a lawsuit claiming she still owed them $ 1.5 million in commissions and $ 4 million of her salary for reviewing The Voice.
Kelly fired back with a counter lawsuit, claiming that her agreement with the Blackstocks and their company Starstuck Entertainment should be voided and that she should be refunded all previous fees for providing “ illegal services ” under California’s Talent Agencies Act for operating without an license and not act in the ‘best interest’ of their client.
“ We stand by our claims that Starstruck has violated the Talent Agencies Act, despite their standard denials, and we look forward to hearing the case before the Labor Commissioner in August, ” Clarkson’s team said in a new statement. Entertainment Tonight.
Stand her ground: Kelly Clarkson’s camp has redoubled allegations that her estranged husband Brandon Blackstock cheated on her millions during his time as her manager, telling ET they are ‘following’ their claims while rejecting Blackson’s ‘standard denials’ . Above 2020
Blackstock thoroughly denied Clarkson’s allegations in November filings with the California Labor Commission that went online Tuesday.
He disputed claims that he and his father had defrauded the performer by depositing exorbitant fees into the accounts of his company Starstruck Entertainment.
But Brandon’s attorneys Bryan J. Freedman and Jesse A. Kaplan argued that they are not subject to the California Talent Agencies Act because they did not perform their work in the Golden State.
Kelly’s attorney Edwin McPherson believes the American Idol alum is entitled to all the money and other ‘things of value’ Brandon got while acting as her agent.
Blackstocks’ legal representation further claimed all alleged violations that there is a one-year statute of limitations in the Talent Agencies Act, meaning that even if Clarkson could prove her allegations, it’s possible his attorneys claim she can only claim commissions that paid within the year. prior to its submission in October 2020.
Blackstock demands that Clarkson’s petition be dismissed and that she pay his legal fees.
Clarkson and Blackson’s legal battle then began Narvel Blackstock’s father-in-law filed a lawsuit against her last October, alleging that she still owed them $ 1.5 million in commissions, in addition to an additional $ 4 million she would pay as a result of her judgmental role on The Voice.
His side: Blackstock has denied allegations that he cheated on the star while acting as her agent during their relationship. 2020 pictured above
Another rulebook: Blackstock’s and Father Narvel’s attorneys say they aren’t subject to the California Talent Agencies Act and if they were a one-year statue of restrictions, Kelly could recoup how much restitution she could get back. Above Narval, Kelly and Brandon are seen with Reba McEntire, the elder Blackstock’s ex-wife
Kelly then replied, asking for the agreement to be void, a refund of all past payments Clarkson had made, and a stop on all further payments to the company.
‘Based on unlawful acts and behavior of [Starstruck Management and the Blackstocks] … all agreements between the parties should be declared null and void and unenforceable, no monies should be paid by applicants to respondents, and any monies previously paid by applicants to respondents should be immediately debited from respondents ” the petition.
Clarkson’s petition alleges that Starstruck demanded “unscrupulous fees and compensation … for illegal services”, acted “contrary to the interest of the petitioners” and provided “false information.”
The petition also alleges that Starstruck “made false statements against and / or hid material information from [Clarkson] concerning certain matters relating to [Starstruck’s] engagement “, which” was in violation of Section 1700.32 of the California Labor Code. “
Clarkson also alleges that the company has failed to obtain its written permission to act as its agent.
Bryan Freedman, a Starstruck attorney, told TMZ of the filing, “ The labor petition conveniently ignores the fact that Kelly had her own licensed talent agency CAA at all times. While Starstruck Management Group provided talent management services on its behalf, it did so at all times that CAA was its agency. ‘
Tit for tat: Clarkson and Blackson’s legal battle began when father-in-law Narvel Blackstock filed a lawsuit against her last October, alleging she still owed them $ 1.5 million in commissions in addition to another $ 4 million she would pay as a result of her judgmental role in The Voice
Family ties: Clarkson shares daughter River Rose and son Remington Alexander with her ex
“It is unfortunate that Kelly is once again trying to avoid paying commissions due and owed to Starstruck to try to gain some advantage in her ongoing custody and divorce proceedings.”
The legal battle is just the latest development amid Kelly’s ongoing divorce from Brandon.
After seven years of marriage and two children together, the couple will split up in the summer of 2020.
Kelly married Brandon at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee in 2013 and together they welcomed daughter River Rose, six, and son Remington Alexander, four.
Kelly has since been given primary physical custody of their two children.
The judge’s custody ruling prompted Blackstock to file additional legal documents on Monday to demand $ 436,000 a month from Clarkson.
He is asking for $ 301,000 in partner assistance and $ 135,000 in child support, according to TMZ.
He also requested that his future ex-wife pay $ 2 million in legal fees.
Happier Times: Clarkson with Brandon, their two children, and his children from a previous marriage