Kelly Clarkson addresses recent allegations of a toxic work environment behind the scenes of her daytime talk show.
The Kelly Clarkson Show host wrote on Instagram on Friday night: “In my 20 years in entertainment, I’ve always led with my heart and what I thought was right. I love my team at The Kelly Clarkson Show and to find out that anyone on this show feels unheard or disrespected is unacceptable.”
Her reaction came after a Rolling Stone report published on Friday alleging the show’s producers have “overworked” and “underpaid” staff behind the scenes. The staff also stated that working on the daytime talk show was traumatizing to their mental health.
The complaints came from one current and ten former employees who spoke anonymously to the magazine. A former collaborator said: “I remember climbing onto the stage roof crying and thinking, ‘Oh my God, what am I doing?’ Why am I putting this on?’”
Another former employee said specifically, “I think Alex Duda [execitive producer] a monster. I have a friend who is an executive producer and warned me against taking the job because she seems to have done it on every show she’s worked on.”
Employees said Clarkson was “amazing” and they “would be shocked if she knew” what was going on. Another employee added that the hostess “has no idea how unhappy her staff is.”
Clarkson’s statement continued, “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 to move to the East Coast, I’m sitting down more more than ever to ensure that not only our relocating team, but also our new NY team is made up of the best and friendliest in the business.”
“Part of this build-up will include leadership training for all senior staff, including myself,” the statement said. “There is always room for growth and to ensure that we are all, and become, the best version of ourselves in every business. Especially when it comes to leadership, there is a need to ensure that any notion of toxicity is eradicated.”