- Kelly Clarkson just addressed the serious Rolling Stone report about alleged toxic working conditions on the set of her show.
- The exposé, which gleaned insight from 10 former staffers and one current employee, said that the staff is "overworked, underpaid, and that working at the show was traumatizing to their mental health."
- “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,” Kelly wrote in a three-slide post.
Kelly Clarkson is addressing the Rolling Stone report that has set the Internet ablaze.
On Friday, May 12, Rolling Stone published a story about alleged toxic working conditions on the set of The Kelly Clarkson Show. Ripe with insights from 10 former staffers and one current employee, the exposé presents the idea that staff is (and has been) "overworked, underpaid, and that working at the show was traumatizing to their mental health."
Although staffers were clear that working with Kelly herself “is fantastic,” she took to Instagram to issue a statement about what had been reported.
“In my 20 years in the entertainment industry, I’ve always led with my heart and what I believed to be right,” she began her 3-slide post. “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.”
Rather than simply expressing her condolences, Kelly went on to take accountability for the situation by thinking of ways to improve the show’s set.
“I have always been, and will continue to be, committed to creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment at The Kelly Clarkson Show,” she continued in her statement. “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 New York, is comprised of the best and kindest in the business.”
One way in which she aims to remedy the situation is with mandatory leadership training among senior staff, herself included.
“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,” she concluded her statement.
In a world where many people still refuse to take accountability, fans were thrilled to see Kelly rise to the occasion.
“I appreciate the fact that you acknowledged this, and your transparency on how you want the show to improve going forward! You are a class act always KC,” one fan commented.
Following the Rolling Stone report and Kelly’s statement, NBCUniversal issued a statement of its own. “We are committed to a safe and respectful work environment and take workplace complaints very seriously, and to insinuate otherwise is untrue. When issues are reported, they are promptly reviewed, investigated, and acted upon as appropriate. The Kelly Clarkson Show strives to build a safe, respectful, and equitable workplace that nurtures a culture of inclusivity and creativity.”
The show, which premiered on NBC in the fall of 2019, is currently in its fourth season and has been renewed through its sixth season in 2025.
Rebecca Ravee Norris is a full-time freelance writer with a decade's worth of lifestyle media experience. Based out of the Washington metropolitan area, she writes for a variety of publications, covering everything from beauty and wellness to style and celebrity news. She is a graduate of George Mason University. There, she earned her B.A. in Media: Production, Consumption, and Critique, along with a minor in Electronic Journalism. When she's not working, she can be found with her beloved Jack-Chi, Cash, adventuring with family and friends, working through reps at the gym, dreaming up her next home decor project, testing a new recipe, getting lost in the pages of a book, or catching up on her favorite shows.
