‘Kelly Clarkson Present’ is ‘traumatizing’ office run by ‘monster’: staffers

The “Kelly Clarkson Present” is below fireplace for allegedly making a “poisonous” work atmosphere that has reportedly left staffers feeling “overworked, underpaid” and “traumatized.”

One present and 10 former staff of the hit daytime speak present spoke to Rolling Stone for a bombshell exposé revealed Friday in an effort to tug again the curtain on the dangerous tradition allegedly going down behind the scenes.

The staffers claimed they have been typically “bullied and intimidated” by producers and it started to negatively have an effect on their psychological well being.

“I keep in mind going up on the roof of the stage to cry, being like, ‘Oh, my gosh, what am I doing? Why am I placing myself via this?’” one former employee — who, just like the others, spoke on situation of anonymity for concern of retribution — recalled to the journal.

Kelly Clarkson on set of her talk show.
The “Kelly Clarkson Present” is being accused of making a poisonous work atmosphere for its staffers.
Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal by way of Getty Photographs

One other former worker instructed the outlet they needed to see a psychiatrist for the primary time of their life as a result of they “really couldn’t deal with it mentally.”

Kelly Clarkson on the set of her talk show.
Ex-workers claimed they skilled “bullying” behind the scenes.
Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal by way of Getty Photographs

The ex-worker known as engaged on “The Kelly Clarkson Present” by “far the worst expertise I’ve ever had in my whole life,” and added, “It deterred me from desirous to work in daytime ever once more. Once I say I used to be traumatized, I used to be actually traumatized.”

Apart from the psychological trauma they allegedly skilled, a number of staffers stated the present didn’t even pay them sufficient to have the ability to stay solely on these salaries.

Many claimed to Rolling Stone that they took on different jobs as baby-sitters, canine walkers and Uber Eats drivers to assist pay their payments. 

Kelly Clarkson on the set of her talk show.
“It deterred me from desirous to work in daytime ever once more,” one ex-staffer stated.
Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal by way of Getty Photographs

Nonetheless, the staff throughout the board famous that they don’t consider the present’s host, Kelly Clarkson, is conscious of how dismal her office is as a result of they consider she’s been shielded from it.

“NBC is defending the present as a result of it’s their new cash maker, however Kelly has no clue how sad her workers is,” a former staffer claimed to the journal.

One other known as Clarkson, 41, “incredible” and stated she is an individual who “by no means treats anybody with something however dignity and is extremely appreciative.”

Kelly Clarkson in front of a microphone onstage.
The disgruntled former employees claimed Clarkson was at nighttime in regards to the toxicity and is “incredible.”
Selection by way of Getty Photographs

“I might be shocked if she knew,” they added. “I’d be floored if she knew the workers wasn’t getting paid for 2 weeks of Christmas hiatus. The Kelly that I interacted with and that everybody is aware of would most likely be fairly aghast to study that.”

Reps for Clarkson didn’t instantly return Web page Six’s request for remark.

The previous staffers all appeared to be cognizant, although, that there’s one villain specifically allegedly fueling the damaging office tradition.

A selfie of Alex Duda and Kelly Clarkson on the set of their talk show.
Government producer and showrunner Alex Duda is reportedly on the forefront of all of the toxicity.
alexduda/Instagram

“I believe Alex Duda’s a monster,” a former worker instructed Rolling Stone of the present’s govt producer, including that the exec, who has labored on the likes of “The Tyra Banks Present” and “The Speak,” in accordance with IMDb, has allegedly “performed this on each present she’s labored on.”


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A producer who reported to Duda claimed to the magazine that the exec allegedly “yelled and cursed at them a number of instances onstage,” inflicting them to develop “a lot anxiousness” that they might “commonly vomit and exhibit bodily indicators of illness.”

“This job deteriorated my psychological well being,” the employee added.

Kelly Clarkson on the set of her talk show.
The “Kelly Clarkson Present” has been on the air since 2019.
Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal by way of Getty Photographs

One other ex-staffer instructed the journal that they felt “bullied, picked on, and put in uncomfortable positions” by Duda, together with one time when there was a racial subject mentioned in a gathering.

The previous worker, who’s white, stated they introduced up desirous to diversify Clarkson’s viewers, however Duda allegedly responded, “Why don’t black individuals need to come to the present? Why don’t black individuals need to see Kelly?” 

A separate former worker stated in addition they as soon as introduced up race within the context of how the present deliberate to deal with the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes, however they have been allegedly reprimanded for doing so.

Kelly Clarkson posing in a black dress.
Clarkson has not addressed her speak present’s backlash.
Instagram

After that staffer reported the incident to human sources, they claimed they have been “bullied, yelled at, and neglected of future conferences by the chief producers they complained about.”

Duda will not be the one offender within the toxicity, nonetheless, as one other ex-staffer stated their manufacturing supervisor, whose identification was not disclosed, was allegedly “verbally abusive to them and others.”

“He would converse in a manner that you just’re not purported to in an expert atmosphere — cursing, elevating his voice, and throwing an enormous mood tantrum,” the previous worker claimed to Rolling Stone.

“Different individuals who know him would chortle it off and say, ‘Oh, he’s in a nasty temper,’ but it surely shouldn’t be laughed off. Why does he get a move for unhealthy habits?”

Kelly Clarkson posing in her dressing room.
Clarkson’s sign-off on her present is “Make it an ideal day, and if it’s not nice, change it.”
kellyclarkson/Instagram

Seven former staffers reportedly shared their damaging experiences of their exit interviews with NBCUniversal. 

One claimed that they had a follow-up name with HR, and though they have been instructed on the time that the the producers’ habits was “unprofessional” the identical producers allegedly nonetheless ended up getting promotions.

“I don’t know what HR does at that present, frankly,” the previous worker instructed Rolling Stone. “Nothing of consequence occurred.”

One other ex-staffer reiterated that sentiment, claiming they felt “didn’t have the assist” from HR that they “actually wanted.”

Kelly Clarkson with her daughter on set of her talk show.
Clarkson, seen right here together with her daughter on her present, has acquired a number of Emmys for her speak present.
NBCU Photograph Financial institution by way of Getty Photographs

“What’s the purpose of HR? They’re mendacity to you, too,” they claimed. “They make it seem to be they’re there for you, after which when push involves shove they’re not round.”

Some identified that “The Kelly Clarkson Present” is simply one other instance of the “toxicity of daytime,” referencing the alleged inappropriate habits that passed off on “The Ellen DeGeneres Present,” which in the end led to that speak present’s demise.

“All these daytime reveals are purported to make you are feeling good and be pleased,” an ex-employee stated. 

Kelly Clarkson posing in front of a window.
A staffer stated it’s laborious to work in a spot that pumps out “pleased, bubbly, optimistic messaging” when they’re allegedly handled badly.
Instagram

“Kelly [Clarkson] makes use of a sign-off, ‘Make it an ideal day, and if it’s not nice, change it,’ but it surely’s laborious to exist and work in a machine that’s pumping out this pleased, bubbly, optimistic messaging [when] you might have individuals right here who’re simply handled badly.” 

One other added, “Folks shouldn’t be handled like this. Particularly while you’re engaged on a TV present that’s profitable Emmys and bringing in thousands and thousands of advert {dollars}.”

A spokesperson for NBC, the community that airs the present, tells Web page Six in response to Rolling Stone’s report, “We’re dedicated to a protected and respectful work atmosphere and take office complaints very critically and to insinuate in any other case is unfaithful.

Alex Duda with staffers from "The Kelly Clarkson Show."
A rep for NBC tells Web page Six they’re “dedicated to a protected and respectful work atmosphere.”
dudalicioustoo/Instagram

“When points are reported they’re promptly reviewed, investigated and acted upon as applicable. ‘The Kelly Clarkson Present’ strives to construct a protected, respectful and equitable office that nurtures a tradition of inclusivity and creativity.”

Duda did instantly return our request for remark.

In keeping with Rolling Stone, the Writers Guild of America has launched an investigation into the Emmy-winning speak present.