Kelly Clarkson responds to a report accusing her daytime talk show of being a toxic workplace
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kelly Clarkson has responded to a Rolling Stone report accusing her daytime talk show of being a toxic workplace.
Clarkson issued a statement on her Instagram page Saturday. She addressed the allegations after 11 current and former employees complained about being overworked and underpaid on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and also called their work “traumatizing to their mental health” in the magazine’s Friday report..
In the report, the anonymous employees called Clarkson “fantastic,” but said show producers were “monsters” who made their lives “hell.”
Clarkson said she loves her team.
“It is unacceptable to find out that someone feels unheard and/or disrespected on this show,” she said in the post. The talk show host said she wants to maintain a healthy and safe work environment.
“As we prepare for a move to the East Coast, I am more committed than ever to making sure that not only does our team move, but that our new team in New York is made up of the best and friendliest in the business” , she said. “Part of that build includes leadership training for all senior staff, including myself.”
Clarkson said there is “always room to grow” and that she wants the show to be the “best version of ourselves in any business”.
“Especially when it comes to leadership, to make sure any notion of toxicity is eradicated,” she said.
An NBCUniversal spokesperson said in a statement that the entertainment company is “committed to providing a safe and respectful work environment.” The statement read that workplace complaints are “taken very seriously and to insinuate otherwise is not true”.
“When issues are reported, they are immediately assessed, investigated and acted upon as necessary,” the statement said. “‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’ is committed to building a safe, respectful and equitable workplace that nurtures a culture of inclusiveness and creativity.”