Kelly Clarkson eyeing major pay raise after talk show's massive success as 'she’s proven her worth'

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: As 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' soars to new heights in ratings, host Kelly Clarkson is now seeking a major pay raise, an insider recently revealed.

According to new figures, Clarkson’s hit daytime show is second only to 'Live with Kelly and Mark', solidifying the singer's place as one of television’s most beloved hosts.

Kelly Clarkson poised for major pay raise as talk show nears 1,000th episode

“America is voting with their remotes and it’s clear Kelly has a golden future, people are crazy about her,” an insider exclusively told Life & Style.

The 'American Idol' alum’s talk show, which premiered in September 2019, is rapidly approaching its 1,000th episode—a milestone few daytime hosts achieve.

Currently earning over $1 million a month from the show, Clarkson, 42, could see a significant bump in her salary when it’s time to renegotiate her contract.

“It stands to reason that she’ll be able to get a substantial raise,” the insider added, hinting that Clarkson’s remarkable ratings success has only strengthened her bargaining power.

Kelly Clarkson is 'aware' that she’s making huge amount of money for the network

While 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' has already been renewed for its seventh season, ensuring it will run through 2026, sources said that Clarkson’s motivation isn’t just about money.

“Money’s not her main motivation for doing the show,” the insider explained, before adding, “She genuinely loves it and gets so much satisfaction interviewing the people she respects and engaging the audience — it’s a dream come true.”

That said, Clarkson is no stranger to the business side of entertainment.

“She’s aware that she’s making the network a huge amount of money, so it’s only fair that she gets a good chunk of it,” the source added.

While Clarkson is known for her humble nature, friends are allegedly encouraging her to push for what she deserves.

“They’re telling her she’d be crazy not to ask for a bigger piece of the pie now that she’s proven her worth,” the source revealed.

'The Kelly Clarkson Show' dominates with 1.2M viewers

The numbers speak for themselves. The 2024-25 season of 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' averaged 1.2 million viewers per day, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Tracie Wilson, EVP of Syndication Studios and E! News at NBCUniversal, praised Clarkson’s influence in a December 2024 statement following her hosting duties at the top-rated Christmas in Rockefeller Center special.

“Kelly Clarkson is a national treasure,” Wilson said, as per Billboard.

“There’s an appetite in talk for stories that entertain and inspire, and The Kelly Clarkson Show is a shining star that delivers for our stations and connects with viewers across multiple generations in meaningful ways,” Wilson added.

Clarkson returned to her show on March 18, after a brief two-week hiatus, and she didn’t disappoint.

Fans were treated to appearances by 'Severance' star Adam Scott and viral music sensation Marc Rebillet.

Bravo’s Andy Cohen is also set to guest-host the March 19 episode, adding another exciting twist for viewers.

Clarkson’s recent absence sparked concern among fans, but actor Simu Liu reassured viewers on March 3 when he jokingly opened the show. “I am not Kelly Clarkson. I know this may shock many of you,” Liu quipped. “But Kelly actually isn’t able to make it today, we’re sending her our very best.”

Thankfully, Clarkson’s brief hiatus was nothing serious.

Sources reportedly revealed she was “completely fine,” and handling a “personal matter that does not directly involve her," adding that it "isn't a cause for alarm.”