Kelly Clarkson Is Saying Goodbye To The Voice Days After Allegations Of A Toxic Environment From Her Talk Show Employees

The first American Idol is done with her red swivel chair after nine seasons. But why is Kelly Clarkson leaving The Voice, and could it be because of her drama on another show?

Clarkson debuted in Season 14 of The Voice, NBC’s reality singing competition in which celebrity coaches form teams of contestants and compete against each other. She was on the show from Season 14 to Season 21. She took a break from the show in Season 22 before returning in Season 23. Clarkson is leaving The Voice once more, and this time it may be for good.

Clarkson explained why she joined The Voice as a coach instead of becoming a judge on American Idol, which she won in 2002, in an interview with Us Weekly in 2018. “The Voice, literally, it’s almost full circle for me in terms of how I started singing,” Clarkson said. “I started singing opera and everything was behind that screen, so my whole life, starting in music for years, was literally me having to be perfect behind that screen.”

Clarkson also told Us Weekly that The Voice’s blind auditions — in which the coaches can hear but not see the contestants — were a factor in her decision to join the show. “That literally is what separates The Voice for me… “This show represents a rare opportunity that people might not get on other shows,” Clarkson said. “That’s my favorite scene in the show.” Making it about talent first is intriguing. That is why I enjoy this show.”

Clarkson also revealed that she was approached to be a judge on American Idol when it was relaunched in 2018 but declined. “I’m not being egocentric,” Clarkson said, “but I think a lot of people reach out to me to be a part of singing things for obvious reasons.” “Just because I was in the first one that everybody kind of watched.” She went on to explain why she chose The Voice instead. “It literally comes back to those blind auditions that really separate everything, and it means something to me because I believe that’s who I represent in this industry, those people.” I don’t always fit the pop star stereotype that people have. But I am a pop star, and this is the image I project. That is why this show perfectly complements my interests in the industry.”

But, after nine seasons, is Clarkson’s time on The Voice over? Find out why Kelly Clarkson is leaving The Voice and what happened to her other show.

Clarkson announced her departure from The Voice on May 15, 2023, when NBC announced the coaches for the next season, which did not include Clarkson. Instead, Reba McEntire, Gwen Stefani, John Legend, and Niall Horan are among the Season 24 coaches.

So, what is the reason for Kelly Clarkson’s departure from The Voice? Clarkson’s departure from The Voice was announced shortly after Variety reported that her daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, was moving from the Universal lot in Los Angeles, California — where The Voice also shoots — to 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, New York, so her departure could be due to geography.

Clarkson’s departure from The Voice followed the publication of a report by Rolling Stone on May 12, 2023, in which 11 anonymous current and former employees claimed they were “overworked” and “underpaid” while working at The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Additionally, the employees claimed that the show had a “toxic environment” that was “traumatizing to their mental health.” Though staffers described Clarkson as “fantastic” to work with, they claimed that the talk show’s producers made their lives “hell.” The employees also claimed that they didn’t find out about the move of The Kelly Clarkson Show from Los Angeles to New York until a staff-wide e-mail was sent “two minutes before” Variety broke the news.

On May 13, 2023, Clarkson issued a statement on Instagram in response to the allegations. “In my 20 years in the entertainment industry, I’ve always followed my heart and done what I thought was right.” “I love my team at The Kelly Clarkson Show, and to learn that anyone on the show is feeling unheard or disrespected is unacceptable,” she wrote. “I have always been and will continue to be committed to creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment at The Kelly Clarkson Show,” she says. “As we prepare for a move to the east coast, I am more committed than ever to ensuring that not only our team that is moving, but also our new team in NY, is comprised of the best and kindest in the business.”

“Part of that build will include leadership training for all of the senior staff, including myself,” she added. There is always room for improvement and to ensure that we are all being/becoming the best versions of ourselves in any business, particularly in leadership, to ensure that any notion of toxicity is eradicated.”

In a statement to Variety, an NBCUniversal representative also addressed the allegations. “We are committed to a safe and respectful workplace and take workplace complaints very seriously; to suggest otherwise is false.” When problems are reported, they are reviewed, investigated, and dealt with as soon as possible. “The Kelly Clarkson Show strives to create a safe, respectful, and equitable workplace that fosters an inclusive and creative culture,” according to the statement.