Talk show hostKelly Clarksonhas weighed in following allegations of mistreatment of staffers by producers behind the scenes ofThe Kelly Clarkson Show. On Friday,Rolling Stonepublished an article that alleged that the talk show was “toxic behind the scenes.” This was according the accounts of eleven current and former staffers of the show, who describe feeling overworked and underpaid, with some feeling like the job was “traumatizing” to their mental health. The mistreatment is alleged to come from the producers, as at least one former staffer noted that “Kelly has no clue how unhappy her staff is.”
In any case, Clarkson has offered her first public response to the allegations with a new statement posted to Instagram. She notes how she’s always tried to do the right thing since she first made a splash in show business two decades ago as the first-ever winner ofAmerican Idol. Determined to have a happy staff behind the scenes, Clarkson says that her show will be moving, and with that change will come a team that will be “comprised of the best and kindest” individuals. She also says everyone, including herself, will be mandated to undergo leadership training as well.
Clarkson’s statement, in full, is as follows:
“In my 20 years in the entertainment industry, I’ve always led with my heart and what I believed to be right. I love my team at The Kelly Clarkson Show, and to find out that anyone is feeling unheard and or disrespected on this show is unacceptable. I have always been, and will continue to be, committed to creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment at The Kelly Clarkson Show. As we prepare for a move to the east coast, I am more committed than ever to ensuring that not only our team that is moving but also our new team in NY, is comprised of the best and kindest in the business. Part of that build will include leadership training for all of the senior staff, including myself. There is always room to grow and ensure we are all being/becoming the best verison of ourselves in any business, especially when it comes to leadership, to ensure that any notion of toxicity is eradicated.”
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What’s Happening Behind the Scenes at The Kelly Clarkson Show?
Executive producer Alex Duda was one person specifically named as someone who makes working onThe Kelly Clarkson Showunbearable. A former staffer referred to Duda as a “monster” who has allegedly “done this on every show she’s worked on.” They all seem to be in agreement that Clarkson herself didn’t seem to realize just how unhappy everyone was behind the scenes.
“Kelly is fantastic," one former employee noted. She is a person who never treats anyone with anything but dignity and is incredibly appreciative. I would be shocked if she knew. I’d be floored if she knew the staff wasn’t getting paid for two weeks of Christmas hiatus. The Kelly that I interacted with and that everyone knows would probably be pretty aghast to learn that.”
In any case, the former staffers say that multiple complaints were submitted to HR, and they were surprised to see that these were ineffective, especially in today’s climate. It wasn’t so long ago when Ellen DeGeneres had a swift fall from grace when she similarly had toxic workplace allegations hit the media, though Ellen herself was also alleged to be cruel to some guests. DeGeneres' talk show ended last year after 19 seasons, thoughEllen insisted that it wasn’t because of the allegations.The Kelly Clarkson Showtook overEllen’s spot on daytime TV as a result.
