Kelly Clarkson, the 41-year-old singer and talk show host, has responded to allegations of a toxic work environment on her show, The Kelly Clarkson Show. In a statement shared on Instagram on Friday, she addressed the claims made in a Rolling Stone article, which alleged that the show’s crew members were “overworked” and “underpaid” and that working on the show had been “traumatizing” to their mental health.
Clarkson began her statement by saying that she had always led with her heart and what she believed to be right in her 20-year career in the entertainment industry. She called the alleged treatment of her staff “unacceptable” and expressed her commitment to creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment on her show, particularly as it prepares to move from Los Angeles to New York City.
As part of this commitment, Clarkson said that she plans to provide leadership training for all senior staff, including herself. She emphasized the importance of growth and becoming the best versions of themselves, especially in leadership positions, to ensure that any notion of toxicity is eradicated from the show.
The complaints from show staffers, which featured input from one current and ten former employees, do not extend to the host herself. Insiders told Rolling Stone that Clarkson is “fantastic” and “has no clue how unhappy her staff is.” One former employee expressed shock that Clarkson didn’t know about the issues, saying that “the Kelly that everyone knows would probably be pretty aghast to learn that.”
The NBCUniversal spokesperson responded to the allegations, saying that they are committed to a safe and respectful work environment and take workplace complaints seriously. They disputed the claims made by the Rolling Stone article and emphasized that the show strives to build a safe, respectful, and equitable workplace that nurtures a culture of inclusivity and creativity.
The Kelly Clarkson Show has been airing on NBC since 2019, with nearly 700 episodes completed and 13 Daytime Emmy Awards earned. The show has recently been renewed through 2025 and will be moving from Los Angeles to New York City for its upcoming fifth season.
