Featured Image Credit: NBC
Topics: Celebrity, Film and TV, Mental Health
Poppy Bilderbeck
Kelly Clarkson has taken to social media to respond to allegations her show has made people feel 'unheard' and 'disrespected'.
The Kelly Clarkson show - which first started on NBC in 2019 - came under fire after several employees branded it a 'toxic workplace' which has left them 'traumatised'.
Clarkson's chat show was accused of underpaying and overworking employees who allegedly suffered 'bullying, verbal abuse, and retaliation from high-levels producers, and no help from human resources when those issues were reported'.
While one staffer called Clarkson 'fantastic,' other production members involved in The Kelly Clarkson Show were named, one branded a 'monster'.
"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?'" one employee told Rolling Stone.
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As per various outlets, a spokesperson for NBC stated: "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."
But what does Clarkson have to say about all of it?
Clarkson has since responded to the fallout, sharing a statement to Instagram, first off noting she has 'always led with [her] heart and what [she] believed to be right' in her '20 years in the entertainment industry'.
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The statement continues: "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.
"I have always been, and will continue to be, committed to creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment at The Kelly Clarkson Show."
Ahead of the show's preparations to move to the east coast, Clarkson stated she is 'more committed than ever to ensure [...] not only our team that is moving, but also our new team in NY, is comprised of the best and kindest in the business'.
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Clarkson explained all of the senior staff at the show - including herself - will receive leadership training as 'part of that build'.
She resolved: "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."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
You can also call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 at the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline.