Rolling Stone has published a bombshell report about The Kelly Clarkson Show, claiming that some current and former staffers have described it as a toxic workplace environment that is damaging to their mental health. Woah – we weren’t expecting this!
It’s important to note that the 41-year-old talk show host herself is not among the people being branded “toxic,” and according to one of the anonymous staff members who came forward, seemed to have no idea about how unhappy some of them were about their working conditions until the report was published. This was confirmed when she posted about the report on Instagram, telling fans that “to find out that anyone is feeling unheard or disrespected on the show is unacceptable.”
'Kelly Clarkson Show' Branded 'Toxic' By Employees
According to Rolling Stone, one current and 10 former employees have called the "Since U Been Gone" singer "fantastic" – which doesn’t really surprise us – but have said that a number of the show’s producers have made their lives hell, in particular executive producer Alex Duda, who seems to have a reputation for creating toxic workplace environments. All of the current and former employees reportedly opened up to the pub with the promise of staying anonymous, so it's likely that their names will never be revealed.
Despite the on-screen success of the show (which debuted in 2019, and was renewed through 2025 back in November 2022,) it's reportedly a different story behind-the-scenes. Rolling Stone said that current and former staff members, who are described as "veterans in the entertainment industry" and know all about the expectations and pressures of working in a fast-paced environment, have mentioned being "overworked" and "underpaid," adding that working at the show was traumatizing to their mental health. They also described the talk show as "a toxic environment."
"NBC is protecting the show because it’s their new money maker, but Kelly has no clue how unhappy her staff is," one former employee said, according to the pub, while a second ex-staff member said: "I remember going up on the roof of the stage to cry, being like, 'Oh, my gosh, what am I doing? Why am I putting myself through this?'"
Producer Alex Duda Called A 'Monster'
If we are to believe the Rolling Stone report, former and current employees said the toxicity seems to start with executive producer Alex Duda, who has been described as a "monster" who has created toxic workplace environments at all of her previous jobs too. "I have a friend who’s an executive producer who warned me about taking this job, because apparently she has done this on every show she’s worked on," a former employee said.
Someone else said they recently quit working at the show because they developed so much anxiety from the way they were treated and would regularly vomit due to the stress and anxiety. "This job deteriorated my mental health," they said, while another former employee, who has been working in the entertainment industry for years, said they took a leave of absence because they were bullied and intimidated by producers who allegedly made staffers feel scared to ask questions, which had a negative effect on their mental health.
The former employee said they had to take a month off and see a psychiatrist for the first time because they "truly couldn’t handle it mentally," before adding that The Kelly Clarkson Show "is by far the worst experience I’ve ever had in my entire life." They added: "It deterred me from wanting to work in daytime ever again. When I say I was traumatized, I was really traumatized."
Many of the former employees said that despite many complaints to HR, nothing has been done about it, and they worry that the longer the toxic behavior continues without being addressed, the worse it will be as the seasons go on. Interestingly, one of the former employees said they had a follow-up call with HR after their exit interview regarding their issues with two producers. But despite the HR representative telling them they found the producers’ behavior unprofessional, those same producers ended up getting promotions.
Kelly Clarkson Praised By Employees
However, despite all the alleged toxicity regarding the producers, it’s a totally different story for the "Mine" singer, as the current and former employees had nothing but kind words to say about her.
"Kelly is fantastic. She is a person who never treats anyone with anything but dignity and is incredibly appreciative," one former employee told the pub. "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," they added.
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Kelly Clarkson's Response
Just like some of her employees predicted, the "Stronger" singer seemed shocked by the allegations, and took to Instagram on May 13th to say the claims about the toxic work environment were "unacceptable." She also called for "leadership training" to ensure a better work environment for everyone moving forward!
"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 or disrespected on the show is unacceptable," her message began.
"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," she continued, in reference to the recent announcement that the show is heading to New York in the fall! "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 version of ourselves in any business, especially when it comes to leadership, to ensure that any notion of toxicity is eradicated."
