Kelly Clarkson is being sued by her longtime management company for allegedly failing to pay over a million dollars in commissions. Starstruck Management Group, which is owned by her estranged husband's father, filed the suit Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.
The company is owed $1.4 million in unpaid commissions this year for Clarkson's work on "The Voice" and her own talk show, "The Kelly Clarkson Show," according to the complaint cited by Variety.
Clarkson has been with the company for 13 years. Over that period, she has been paying a 15% commission on her gross earnings. This year she paid it $1.9 million, but she still has an outstanding balance. By the end of the year, she will owe at least $5.4 million, the suit claims.
There is no written management agreement in place and terms of the deal were negotiated verbally between representing parties in 2007. The suit is alleging a breach of oral contract.
"Over the course of approximately 13 years, Starstruck developed Clarkson into a mega superstar," the complaint reads. "By way of example only, Starstruck was instrumental in helping Clarkson achieve success in terms of numerous hit albums, multiple Grammy wins and nominations, her role on popular television shows like ‘The Voice’ and her own talk show. Despite Starstruck’s hard work and dedication, Clarkson has decided she is going to stop paying Starstruck for what is contractually owed."
Clarkson filed for divorce from her husband of seven years, Brandon Blackstock, earlier this year. In the divorce papers, she cited "irreconcilable differences." Clarkson also requested joint custody of the two children they share together, River Rose, 5, and Remington Alexander, 4.
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.