Pooja Pillai is an entertainment journalist with Asian Media Group, where she covers cinema, pop culture, internet trends, and the politics of representation. Her work spans interviews, cultural features, and social commentary across digital platforms.
She began her reporting career as a news anchor, scripting and presenting stories for a regional newsroom. With a background in journalism and media studies, she has since built a body of work exploring how entertainment intersects with social and cultural shifts, particularly through a South Indian lens.
She brings both newsroom rigour and narrative curiosity to her work, and believes the best stories don’t just inform — they reveal what we didn’t know we needed to hear.
Brandon Blackstock, talent manager and former husband of Kelly Clarkson, has died at 48 after battling melanoma for more than three years.
His family confirmed he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.
The news came a day after Clarkson paused her Las Vegas residency to be with their two children.
Blackstock managed country stars including Blake Shelton and Rascal Flatts and was the stepson of Reba McEntire.
Brandon Blackstock, a well-known talent manager in the country music industry and the former husband of Grammy-winning singer and TV host Kelly Clarkson, has died aged 48. His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully after a prolonged battle with melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.
In a statement released through Starstruck Entertainment, the Nashville-based talent management company founded by his father, Narvel Blackstock, the family said:
“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.”
The news came just a day after Clarkson announced she would be postponing the August dates of her Las Vegas residency, Kelly Clarkson: Studio Sessions, to be fully present for their two children, River Rose and Remington Alexander.
Brandon Blackstock dies at 48 after three-year melanoma battleGetty Images
What type of cancer did Brandon Blackstock have?
According to reports, Blackstock had been diagnosed with melanoma, a severe skin cancer often linked to excessive ultraviolet exposure. If untreated, it can spread to other organs, making it one of the most dangerous skin cancers.
Fans and friends took to social media to share condolences. Messages included, “So heartbreaking to lose someone so young after such a brave fight” and “Sending love and strength to Kelly and the family during this painful time.”
Born on 16 December 1976 in Fort Worth, Texas, Brandon Blackstock grew up surrounded by the country music scene. His father, Narvel Blackstock, managed some of the biggest names in the industry and was married to country star Reba McEntire from 1989 to 2015.
Brandon followed in his father’s footsteps, managing artists such as Blake Shelton and Rascal Flatts. He also worked as a television producer and served as an executive producer on The Kelly Clarkson Show between 2019 and 2020.
Music also played a role in his personal life. He first met Clarkson in 2006 during rehearsals for the Academy of Country Music Awards, though they began dating in 2012. The couple married in October 2013 at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee.
Kelly Clarkson’s former husband Brandon Blackstock dies surrounded by familyGetty Images
Relationship with Kelly Clarkson and divorce settlement
Clarkson and Blackstock welcomed daughter River Rose in 2014 and son Remington Alexander in 2016. However, after nearly seven years of marriage, Clarkson filed for divorce in 2020, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalised in 2022.
Despite the split, both maintained a shared focus on co-parenting. Reba McEntire, who was once Blackstock’s stepmother, publicly expressed her love for both during their divorce, urging people to support them through the difficult period.
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Legacy and surviving family
Blackstock is survived by his two children with Clarkson, as well as his two older children, Savannah and Seth, from his first marriage to Melissa Ashworth. In 2022, he became a grandfather when Savannah welcomed her son, Lake.
Seth Blackstock, Remington Alexander Blackstock, Savannah Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson, River Rose Blackstock, and Brandon Blackstock attend STX Films World Premiere of "UglyDolls"Getty Images
Known for his business acumen in artist management and his commitment to his family, Brandon Blackstock leaves behind a legacy in both the entertainment industry and the personal lives of those closest to him.
Forum brings UK and Chinese film professionals together to explore collaborations.
Emerging British-Asian talent gain mentorship and international exposure.
Small-scale dramas, kids’ shows, and adapting popular formats were the projects everyone was talking about.
Telling stories that feel real to their culture, yet can connect with anyone, is what makes them work worldwide.
Meeting three times a year keeps the UK and China talking, creating opportunities that last beyond one event.
The theatre was packed for the Third Shanghai–London Screen Industry Forum. Between panels and workshops, filmmakers, producers and executives discussed ideas and business cards and it felt more than just a summit. British-Asian filmmakers were meeting and greeting the Chinese industry in an attempt to explore genuine possibilities of working in China’s film market.
UK China film collaborations take off as Third Shanghai London Forum connects British Asian filmmakers with Chinese studios Instagram/ukchinafilm
What makes the forum important for British-Asian filmmakers?
For filmmakers whose films explore identity and belonging, this is a chance to show their work on an international stage, meet Chinese directors, talk co-productions and break cultural walls that normally feel unscalable. “It’s invaluable,” Abid Khan said after a panel, “because you can’t create globally if you don’t talk globally.”
And it’s not just established names. Young filmmakers were all around, pitching ideas and learning on the go. The forum gave them a chance to get noticed with mentoring, workshops, and live pitch sessions.
Which projects are catching international attention?
Micro-dramas are trending. Roy Lu of Linmon International says vertical content for apps is “where it’s at.” They’ve done US, Canada, Australia and next stop, Europe. YouTube is back in focus too, thanks to Rosemary Reed of POW TV Studios. Short attention spans and three-minute hits, she’s ready.
Children’s and sports shows are another hotspot. Jiella Esmat of 8Lions is developing Touch Grass, a football-themed children’s show. The logic is simple: sports and kids content unite families, like global glue.
Then there’s format adaptation. Lu also talked about Nothing But 30, a Chinese series with 7 billion streams. The plan is for an english version in London. Not a straight translation, but a cultural transformation. “‘30’ in London isn’t just words,” Lu says. “It’s a new story.”
Jason Zhang of Stellar Pictures says international audiences respond when culture isn’t just a background prop. Lanterns, flowers, rituals, they’re part of the plot. Cedric Behrel from Trinity CineAsia adds: you need context. Western audiences don’t know Journey to the West, so co-production helps them understand without diluting the story.
Economic sense matters too. Roy Lu stresses: pick your market, make it financially viable. Esmat likens ideal co-productions to a marriage: “Multicultural teams naturally think about what works globally and what doesn’t.”
The UK-China Film Collab’s Future Talent Programme is taking on eight students or recent grads this year. They’re getting the backstage access to international filmmaking that few ever see, including mentorship, festival organising and hands-on experience. Alumni are landing real jobs: accredited festival journalists, Beijing producers, curators at The National Gallery.
Adrian Wootton OBE reminded everyone: “We exist through partnerships, networks, and collaboration.” Yin Xin from Shanghai Media Group noted that tri-annual gathering: London, Shanghai, Hong Kong create an “intensive concentration” of ideas.
Actor-director Zhang Luyi said it best: cultural exchange isn’t telling your story to someone, it’s creating stories together.
The Shanghai-London Screen Industry Forum is no longer just a talking shop. It’s a launchpad, a bridge. And for British-Asian filmmakers and emerging talent, it’s a chance to turn ideas into reality.
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