The profitable daytime TV program The Kelly Clarkson Show is all about positivity and happiness — however that cheery angle doesn’t prolong behind the scenes, in response to various present and former workers members.
In an exposé shared by Rolling Stone on Friday, 10 former and one present workers member of The Kelly Clarkson Show mentioned they have been bullied and harassed by the present’s producers, some to the purpose of tears, vomiting and psychological anguish.
All 11 of the nameless sources agreed that Clarkson, the face of the favored daytime manufacturing, is probably going unaware of how extra junior workers members are being handled on set. They claimed government producer Alex Duda, who was referred to as “a monster” by one former staffer, shields Clarkson from complaints in regards to the “toxic” work setting Duda allegedly created.
“Kelly has no clue how unhappy her staff is,” one former staffer informed Rolling Stone.
Another former worker described Clarkson, 41, as “fantastic.”
“She is a person who never treats anyone with anything but dignity and is incredibly appreciative,” they informed the outlet.
Neither Clarkson nor Duda has commented publicly on the brand new allegations.
The staffers, all of whom are mentioned to be leisure trade veterans, mentioned they have been underpaid, overworked and “traumatized” by the employment expertise. Many mentioned their psychological well being suffered whereas engaged on The Kelly Clarkson Show, some so severely that they needed to search remedy after leaving their job.
The sources mentioned some staff have needed to take second jobs as canine walkers or Uber Eats drivers to pay their payments. (The common wage of the workers at The Kelly Clarkson Show will not be recognized publicly.)
Several of the staffers mentioned they filed HR complaints about harassing behaviour from Duda and others on set, however noticed no motion taken. One ex-staffer mentioned an unnamed producer was “verbally abusive” and had on one event thrown a stapler throughout their workplace. Another claimed they have been reprimanded by Duda after they requested in a gathering how The Kelly Clarkson Show deliberate to deal with the unfold of anti-Asian hate crimes.
“There’s a culture of non-accountability for some people, and that needs to change,” a former workers member mentioned.
In response to the Rolling Stone article, one present workers member informed Entertainment Tonight that the present’s “toxic” branding got here as a “surprise.”
“Kelly is a fast-paced production and isn’t without stress, but nothing about the environment rises to being labelled toxic,” the nameless supply informed ET. “The show is still paying us although we had to shut down early because of the writers’ strike.”
The similar supply claimed the manufacturing is engaged on methods to retain workers in L.A., the place the primary 4 seasons have been filmed, amid the present’s not too long ago introduced transfer to New York City.
A spokesperson for NBCUniversal, which airs The Kelly Clarkson Show, disputed the poisonous work setting claims in an announcement to ET.
“We are committed to a safe and respectful work environment and take workplace complaints very seriously and to insinuate otherwise is untrue,” the assertion reads. “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 Kelly Clarkson Show will not be the primary daytime TV manufacturing to be branded poisonous. The Ellen DeGeneres Show, TMZ and The Tyra Banks Show (which was produced by Duda), amongst others, have all additionally confronted allegations of worker mistreatment.
The Kelly Clarkson Show premiered on Sept. 9, 2019, and is presently filming its fourth season (although needed to halt manufacturing on account of the author’s strike). The manufacturing has been awarded 13 Daytime Emmys, together with three for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host for Clarkson.
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