Sophia Michaels
Kelly Clarkson’s staff voices concerns over working conditions on her show
Since its debut in September 2019, Kelly Clarkson’s daytime talk show has gained immense popularity, attracting 1.2 million viewers daily during its 2024 season. However, challenges have arisen behind the scenes. In 2023, staff members of “The Kelly Clarkson Show” accused producers of fostering a hostile work environment characterized by low pay and excessive demands. One staff member recounted feeling overwhelmed, stating, “I went to the roof of the stage to cry, thinking, ‘What am I doing? Why am I enduring this?'” while speaking to Rolling Stone.
Some employees reported needing to seek additional work to make ends meet while being employed full-time. Nevertheless, they insisted that Clarkson herself wasn’t to blame. “Kelly is amazing. She treats everyone with respect and is genuinely thankful,” one staff member remarked. The 11 employees who shared their stories with the publication stressed that she was generally supportive and likely unaware of the issues occurring behind the scenes. “I would be surprised if she knew,” the staff member added.
Clarkson expressed her lack of awareness regarding the situation and the feelings of her employees. “It’s unacceptable to learn that anyone feels unheard or disrespected on this show,” she told People. She vowed to implement changes to foster a healthier work environment. “There’s always an opportunity to improve and ensure we all strive to be the best versions of ourselves in any organization, particularly in leadership roles,” she added.
