The Newest ‘Kelly Clarkson Show’ Rumors, Explained
A producer on The Kelly Clarkson Show says it seems like the daytime talk show could “collapse any minute” amid rumors that host Kelly Clarkson will quit the show next year when her NBCUniversal contract expires.
The anonymous producer recently told the Daily Mail they’re “not feeling too stable” amid the show’s uncertain future. They added, “[Clarkson] could bolt at any time. Where does that leave me?”
And “stressed is an understatement” when it comes to the vibe on set, the producer said. “No one likes the uncertainty. This feels like it could collapse any minute.”
The Daily Mail reports that Hoda Kotb, fresh from her TODAY retirement, is rumored to be a possible replacement for Clarkson, and the tipster seems amenable to that changeover.
“Everyone loves Kelly,” the producer said. “She’s a wonderful person. But 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 Kelly is unhappy, then she should move on. We would all understand. If Hoda wants to do it, it could be [a] win-win for everyone.”

Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal
The Daily Mail also reports that Clarkson’s ten-episode absence from her show in March put the staff on edge. Later that month, a Kelly Clarkson Show employee told the outlet that there was a “really unsettling” and “very weird” atmosphere on set after Clarkson’s return, saying the host was less accessible to staffers than she was before her absence.
Clarkson returned to the show in time for the 1,000th episode celebration, but even during that joyous affair, she made a cryptic comment, telling her audience that she had “lost, alone, a lot” during the show’s run.
When The Kelly Clarkson Show premiered in 2019, the pop star was still married to Brandon Blackstock, with whom she shares two kids, but the couple split the following year and finalized the divorce in 2022. Then, in 2023, The Kelly Clarkson Show moved its production from Los Angeles to New York City, marking a fresh start for its host. At the time, Clarkson told The Daily Beast that fifth season marked the first in which she was “not incredibly sad deep inside.”
Last month, Page Six also reported that Clarkson wants to quit the show to spend more time with her kids at the end of her contract in 2026. “Kelly’s No. 1 priority is her children, and they always will be,” a source told the outlet. “The show is grueling. It’s a whole lot of work, and I hear that Kelly would like to spend more time down south.”
And on Sunday, May 25, the gossip site Deuxmoi also circulated rumors that Kotb would replace Clarkson, with a source telling the site that an official announcement could be just days away.
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I like her and will be sad if she quits but understand her reasoning.
I know I'm a minority but I can't stand Hoda and will not watch if she has a show!
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I love Kelly. Sweet girl with a heck of a voice. Will always be her fan no matter what she's doing.
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I’m fine with it ending. She interrupts and talks over her guests while claiming to be just like every single one of them. Way too much “I love you” for the smallest things. The jumping up to show enthusiasm and the silly games where she makes no secret that she’s going to win! Enough. Hoda won’t make me tune back in.
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NBC needs to wnd this speculation and make an announcement. It’s not doing Kelly’s image any good for sure.
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It’s on ABC
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No, it’s not.
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NBC owns her show.
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I really believe the tabloids are taking this too far. Their reporting is childish. Hoda is not replacing kelly! Hoda retired from the grind and is now going to do what she wants to do. Kelly was presented with a talk show and did well for almost 7 years now, but in her heart of hearts making music is what she was born to do. She wants to write and sing her own songs now, with her record company she can do that. Seems a bit of conflict started with NBC Human Resources and Kelly did not agree with them and thats when it all started, Got to say I love her and her show and her singing voice is gold. The prime time show planned for Kelly seems interesting and more her thing. I hope it is a success and will be more than a short term thing.
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I think Kelly has come to the realization that Manhattan is not a place to bring up children, especially these days, when she first moved here she was blinded by the bright lights and the energy, she would always ask her native New York guests their opinion about living in NYC, they would usually give her a half hearted like.
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NBC/Kelly have to shut these rumors down if there's no truth to them. Daily Mail isn't the best source to believe but they should still get ahead of it.
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I understand her reasoning to put her children first. She is on NBC a bit much anyway with specials etc. I like her but her lane is musical talent not talk show host. Hoda replacement?? Didn’t she just make the change from Today show to spend more time with her Mom and daughters? Life balance people!!
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Don’t believe anything unless it comes from Kelly’s mouth not from tabloid sites especially like Page Six & Daily Mail.
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Hoda confirmed today, May 28th, while visiting NBC, that “it’s just a visit” on Kelly’s show, nothing more than that. Besides, she’s starting up a wellness company, and wants to spend more time with her daughters, so the rumor is false. Now if we could shut down The View, that would be breaking news and make my day!
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Love Kelly so what I've see of her show she makes her guests uncomfortable with her uncomfortable put downs I don't watch to often it's cringe.
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I really like her and her show. I hope she doesn't leave. I do understand her wanting to show up for her kids.
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They could easily share the show so both could have time off with their kids. Bringing Hoda on could be a big plus.
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