Kelly Clarkson is in the midst of a divorce from husband of seven years Brandon Blackstock, after filing in June.
And the three-time Grammy winner has found herself embroiled in another legal battle with her father-in-law Narvel Blackstock.
She recently pushed back against a lawsuit filed by Narvel’s Starstruck Management Group over unpaid commissions, arguing that they violated the California Labor Code.
Legal battle: Kelly Clarkson recently pushed back against a lawsuit filed by father-in-law Narvel Blackstock’s Starstruck Management Group over unpaid commissions, arguing that they violated the California Labor Code
Calling it quits: It comes in the midst of a divorce from husband of seven years Brandon Blackstock, after filing in June (pictured in February, 2013)
The 38-year-old allegedly owes more than $1.4million in commissions, on top of the $1.9million she already paid, according to the lawsuit filed in September.
According to People, she filed a labor petition on October 20, arguing that they violated the code by ‘procuring, offering, promising, or attempting to procure employment or engagements’ without obtaining a talent agency license first.
The petition stated that all agreements should be ‘declared void and unenforceable,’ including a reported verbal contract in which she agreed to pay them 15 percent commission on her gross earnings.
She also asserted that Starstruck violated licensing requirements implemented by the Talent Agencies Act.
Big money: The 38-year-old allegedly owes more than $1.4million in commissions, on top of the $1.9million she already paid, according to the lawsuit filed in September (pictured in May, 2019)
Code violation: According to People, she filed a labor petition on October 20, arguing that they violated the code by ‘procuring, offering, promising, or attempting to procure employment or engagements’ without obtaining a talent agency license first (pictured in October, 2020)
Verbal contract: The petition stated that all agreements should be ‘declared void and unenforceable,’ including a reported verbal contract in which she agreed to pay them 15 percent commission on her gross earnings
Clarkson listed the violations: failing to submit a written application for a license, failing to write a formal talent agency agreement with her, demanding ‘unconscionable fees and compensation’ from her for ‘illegal services.’
She further alleged they provided her with false information in regards to their engagements and failed to deposit a $50,000 surety bond with the Labor Commissioner, among other violations.
The Stronger artist claimed that Brandon and Narvel served as unlicensed talent agents during her 13 years with the management company.
She argued that she does not owe them the commission they’re demanding and that they should return the money she previously paid.
Starstruck’s attorney Bryan Freedman subsequently released a statement, claiming that the petition ‘conveniently ignores the fact that Kelly had her own licensed talent agency [Creative Artists Agency] at all times.’
Co-parenting: Clarkson filed for divorce back in June from Brandon, 43, whom she married in October of 2013, sharing daughter River Rose, six, and son Remington Alexander, four (pictured in January, 2020)
Irreconcilable differences: She cited ‘irreconcilable differences,’ later addressing the split on her daytime talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show (pictured in January, 2018)
He continued: ‘While Starstruck Management Group provided talent management services on her behalf, it did so at all times that CAA was her agency of record.
‘It is unfortunate that Kelly is again attempting to avoid paying commissions that are due and owing to Starstruck to try and achieve some perceived advantage in her ongoing custody and divorce proceedings.’
Clarkson filed for divorce back in June from Brandon, 43, whom she married in October of 2013, sharing daughter River Rose, six, and son Remington Alexander, four.
She cited ‘irreconcilable differences,’ later addressing the split on her daytime talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show.
The American Idol alum said: ‘As you probably know, 2020 has brought a lot of change also to my personal life. Definitely didn’t see anything coming that came, but what I’m dealing with is hard — it involves more than just my heart, it involves a lot of little hearts.
‘We know the best thing here is to protect our children and their little hearts. So I’m usually very open and I usually talk about everything but in this case I will talk a little bit here and there about how it affects me personally, but probably won’t go too far into it because I’m a mama bear and my kids come first.’
Mama bear: Clarkson said: ‘I usually talk about everything but in this case I will talk a little bit here and there about how it affects me personally, but probably won’t go too far into it because I’m a mama bear and my kids come first’