Kelly Clarkson show staff fearful for their jobs amid rumors about host wanting to quit: 'She could bolt'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The 'Kelly Clarkson Show' staffers are worried about their jobs as rumors about host Kelly Clarkson wanting to quit have been making the rounds. 

A producer of the talk show interacted with the Daily Mail on Monday, May 26, and revealed that there is a feeling of unease among her staff members. 

Employees at 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' fearful of losing their jobs

"Not feeling too stable. She could bolt at any time. Where does that leave me?" the person said.

Moreover, the producer added that although "everyone loves Kelly" and she is "a wonderful person," they would "understand" if the talk show host wanted to leave because she is "unhappy," per the outlet.

The insider said, "She should move on," before adding that there is a possibility of 'Today' alum Hoda Kotb taking over the show as the host.

The source continued, "Maybe Hoda would be a better boss. I know she’s universally beloved and respected by her former coworkers. Maybe she would be good. She sure would be a lot more stable than what we’ve been going through."

"If Hoda wants to do it, it could be win-win for everyone," they added. 

In March 2025, Clarkson shocked fans when she was missing from the show for more than two weeks without any explanation, according to Page Six.

However, a source informed TMZ at the time that the 43-year-old singer was "completely fine" but had been "dealing with a personal matter that does not directly involve her."

Moreover, in April 2025, Page Six reported that Clarkson wanted to leave the show once her contract expires next year to spend more time with her children, daughter River Rose, and son Remy.

An industry insider informed the outlet at the time, "Kelly’s No 1 priority is her children, and they always will be. The show is grueling. It’s a whole lot of work, and I hear that Kelly would like to spend more time down South."

Kelly Clarkson accused of being 'ungrateful' by talk show staff

During a show at the Etess Arena in Atlantic City in early May, Kelly Clarkson opened up about the behind-the-scenes tension at her talk show, like dropping 60 pounds and catching flak for simply accepting a compliment.

The 43-year-old got candid about feeling stifled by NBC’s strict HR policies after a fan shouted that she looked "sexy."

She joked, "Every time I go to an HR meeting, I’m like, 'How have I not been fired?'," as she added, "I grew up on the road at 19 years old, you know what I’m saying? I’m like, 'Oh, that is inappropriate. I would never.' But they also say you’re not allowed to say someone looks attractive, and I say f**k that."

She told the crowd, "Because some of those b**ches are out here working, and we’re trying, and I want every motherf****r that passes me to go, 'Damn. Well done.'"

Clarkson added that she was called out by HR for complimenting someone on their transformation.

She said, "They were like, 'Well, it might make people feel bad that they looked bad before.' I was fat before, so I’m saying I want you to say, 'Damn'."

Though some thought Clarkson's rant to be just playful venting, insiders close to the show didn’t find her comments empowering.

A source claimed her remarks came off as ungrateful toward the staff who have stood by her.

An insider told Daily Mail, "Kelly Clarkson is ungrateful, and she fails to recognize how her staff uprooted their lives in Los Angeles and left their homes to relocate to New York because they believed in her and they loved working for her."

Interestingly, this adds fuel to the speculation that the songstress is planning to quit 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' when her contract ends in 2026.