Kelly Clarkson Was ‘Blindsided’ by Toxic Work Environment Allegations at Her Talk Show: ‘She Wasn’t Aware’

usmagazine.com:

A total shock. Kelly Clarkson was “blindsided” by allegations of a toxic work environment at her eponymous talk show, an insider exclusively tells Us Weekly.“She didn’t know anything,” the source says of the “Breakaway” songstress, 41. “She wasn’t aware of anything.”Earlier this month, Rolling Stone published an exposé in which several past employees of The Kelly Clarkson Show claimed that they were overworked, underpaid and found the work environment to be “traumatizing to their mental health.”One former staffer, who remained anonymous, claimed that they would go up on the roof of the building where the show filmed and cry. “Oh my gosh, what am I doing?” the alleged former employee recalled thinking. “Why am I putting myself through this?”In order to view the video, please allow Manage CookiesDespite the allegations, multiple former employees told the outlet that Clarkson was not aware of what was happening behind the scenes.

One former staffer claimed that the pop star had “no clue how unhappy” her team was when the cameras weren’t rolling, while another noted that she was “fantastic” to be around.After the article made headlines, the American Idol winner addressed the allegations in a statement. “In my 20 years in the entertainment industry, I’ve always led with my heart and what I believed to be right,” she wrote via Instagram on Saturday, May 13. “I love my team at The Kelly Clarkson Show, and to find out that anyone is feeling unheard and disrespected on this show is unacceptable.”The “Because of You” crooner added: “I have always been, and will continue to be, committed to creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment at The Kelly Clarkson Show.