3 days ago
Kelly Clarkson may leave hit talk show over 'very painful' personal issues after mystery absence
Kelly Clarkson has been trying to grapple with the issues that resulted in her taking an unexpected and unannounced leave from her popular talk show earlier this year.
The singer and host, 43, who is allegedly considering walking away from the daytime staple when her contract with NBC expires in 2026, has reportedly experienced a 'moment of clarity,' following some unknown personal struggles.
A source claiming to be close to the Stronger singer told Page Six the situation has been a difficult one for the Emmy winner.
'This has all been very painful for her,' said the industry insider who has worked closely with the artist.
'The difficulty is that Kelly, like all of us, wants to be liked, and she had to deal with this new moment in her life. She knew she had to step down for a minute.'
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Without going into detail, the source alleged, 'She has her priorities, and her family comes first, but I think she's been humbled by the whole situation… what has happened has given her a moment of clarity, I think.'
Daily Mail has reached out to Clarkson's representatives for comment.
Clarkson went through a very public and painful divorce with her former husband and manager Brandan Blackstock, with whom she shares two children, River, almost 11, and Remy, nine.
'Kelly grew up without a father, and she had an incredible love story with Brandon,' a source reported to be a friend told the outlet.
'She is a compassionate and caring person, and what has happened [recently] has helped her to move beyond the divorce.'
Blackstock, 48, who no longer represents his ex, did help put together the deal that created the talk show and oversaw her contract when was a coach on The Voice for several seasons.
When Clarkson abruptly stepped back from The Kelly Clarkson Show between March 3 to March 18, a variety of celebrities were called to fill-in for her at the last minute including Andy Cohen, Wanda Sykes and Brooke Shields.
On March 20, when the show celebrated its 1000th episode, an emotional Clarkson told her audience, 'We've created a community and supported each other through a lot of ups and downs … A lot of ups and downs personally as well.'
The Grammy winner, who hasn't released any new music in nearly two years, may want to return to her roots.
'We haven't done a [singing] show in a while, y'all, cause I have a talk show,' she said at an Atlantic City concert on May 9. 'It's like a whole other job.'
'We are bummed 'cause we love doing [singing] shows, and it's hard to fit it in,' she told the crowd.
The hitmaker launched her own music label, High Road Records in 2024. She will kick off a Las Vegas residency, Kelly Clarkson: Studio Sessions' on July 4 through August 16, and picking up again, November 7 through 15.
