Kelly Clarkson on Wanting a ‘Healthy’ and ‘Fun’ Work Environment
In a recent conversation with Nancy O’Dell on TalkShopLive, Kelly Clarkson addressed reports alleging a toxic atmosphere behind the scenes of The Kelly Clarkson Show. She also discussed the show’s planned relocation to New York City and other projects she has in development. The talk show, which has gained significant attention and acclaim, is also up for multiple Daytime Emmy nominations this season.
Clarkson emphasized that creating a positive workplace was a top priority for her. She explained that, as the show has evolved, so has her desire to build a team and an environment where people feel respected and enjoy coming to work. “For the most part, I’m getting my show settled,” she said. “We’re establishing an amazing crew and figuring things out so we can have a great time and a great workplace.”
The singer and host made it clear she values professionalism paired with warmth. “I’m getting too old to work in an environment that isn’t healthy and, like, fun,” she remarked, adding that she has endured difficult situations earlier in her career but now feels determined to foster something better. That conviction shapes how she manages the show and how she wants her team to operate.
Kelly is moving the show to be closer to family on the East Coast
Clarkson confirmed that the decision to move the show to New York was deeply personal. She described how emotional it was to tell her cast and crew, noting the close bonds she’s formed with many colleagues. “I have built such an amazing group of people,” she said. “We’ve been very successful, and I love everybody I work with. We have such great relationships.”
Ultimately, she told her team she needed to choose what was best for her family. “I told them, ‘I need you to know what’s happening. It’s either I’m not going to be able to continue with the show or I’ve got to go East Coast.’” Clarkson said that being closer to family played a deciding role in the move: her relatives are based on the East Coast, in North Carolina, and the proximity matters to her and her children.
The isolation and distance experienced during the pandemic also influenced her choice. Clarkson explained that prolonged separation from loved ones isn’t healthy for anyone, and that she and her children needed a fresh start that Los Angeles couldn’t provide. “I love doing this show, I really do,” she said, “but I gotta make a change for me and my family. New York is at least closer to my family — they’re about an hour flight away — so that was the main reason.” She stressed that the decision was entirely her own.
“I gotta make a change for me and my family”
Beyond logistics and work-life balance, Clarkson framed the move as an opportunity for renewal. She acknowledged personal circumstances that made a fresh start necessary and emphasized that prioritizing her children’s stability and well-being guided her choices. While transitions of this scale can be difficult for any team, she said she wanted to be transparent with staff and to ensure they understood the reasons behind the relocation.
She also reiterated her commitment to nurturing a workplace culture rooted in respect, fun, and creativity. That approach, she believes, will help sustain the show as it adapts to a new city and new routines while preserving the rapport that has defined it.
She’s working on a project for Broadway
In addition to her television work, Clarkson revealed she is developing a project intended for Broadway. A longtime admirer of theater, she said she never imagined she would get the chance to write for Broadway, but that she is currently working on material with the stage in mind. “I’m in the works of, like, writing something right now…for Broadway,” she told TalkShopLive, expressing excitement about blending her musical background with theatrical storytelling.
Her interest in theater aligns with her broader artistic ambitions and offers another creative outlet beyond hosting and recording. Clarkson’s involvement in a Broadway project highlights her continued drive to expand into new artistic territories while remaining connected to performance and storytelling.
The singer is getting ready to release her next album, chemistry
Clarkson is also preparing to release chemistry, her first studio album since 2017’s Meaning of Life. The record, scheduled for release on June 23, explores the emotional landscape of her recent life experiences, including the end of her marriage. About the album, she said, “Having chemistry with someone is an incredible, and overwhelming, feeling. It’s like you have no choice in the matter. You are just drawn to each other. This can be good and bad. This album takes you down every path that chemistry could lead you down.”
Alongside her new music, Clarkson recently completed another season as a coach on The Voice and is set to perform a Las Vegas residency in July. Between television, theater ambitions, and a major new album, she continues to balance multiple creative and personal priorities while steering her show into its next chapter.