The profitable daytime TV program The Kelly Clarkson Present is all about positivity and happiness — however that cheery perspective doesn’t lengthen behind the scenes, based on a lot of present and former employees members.
In an exposé shared by Rolling Stone on Friday, 10 former and one present employees member of The Kelly Clarkson Present mentioned they have been bullied and harassed by the present’s producers, some to the purpose of tears, vomiting and psychological anguish.
All 11 of the nameless sources agreed that Clarkson, the face of the favored daytime manufacturing, is probably going unaware of how extra junior employees members are being handled on set. They claimed government producer Alex Duda, who was referred to as “a monster” by one former staffer, shields Clarkson from complaints concerning the “poisonous” work atmosphere Duda allegedly created.
“Kelly has no clue how sad her employees is,” one former staffer instructed Rolling Stone.
One other former worker described Clarkson, 41, as “implausible.”
“She is an individual who by no means treats anybody with something however dignity and is extremely appreciative,” they instructed the outlet.
Neither Clarkson nor Duda has commented publicly on the brand new allegations.
The staffers, all of whom are mentioned to be leisure trade veterans, mentioned they have been underpaid, overworked and “traumatized” by the employment expertise. Many mentioned their psychological well being suffered whereas engaged on The Kelly Clarkson Present, some so severely that they needed to search remedy after leaving their job.
The sources mentioned some workers have needed to take second jobs as canine walkers or Uber Eats drivers to pay their payments. (The common wage of the staff at The Kelly Clarkson Present just isn’t recognized publicly.)
A number of of the staffers mentioned they filed HR complaints about harassing behaviour from Duda and others on set, however noticed no motion taken. One ex-staffer mentioned an unnamed producer was “verbally abusive” and had on one event thrown a stapler throughout their workplace. One other claimed they have been reprimanded by Duda after they requested in a gathering how The Kelly Clarkson Present deliberate to handle the unfold of anti-Asian hate crimes.
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“There’s a tradition of non-accountability for some folks, and that should change,” a former employees member mentioned.
In response to the Rolling Stone article, one present employees member instructed Leisure Tonight that the present’s “poisonous” branding got here as a “shock.”
“Kelly is a fast-paced manufacturing and isn’t with out stress, however nothing concerning the atmosphere rises to being labelled poisonous,” the nameless supply instructed ET. “The present remains to be paying us though we needed to shut down early due to the writers’ strike.”
The identical supply claimed the manufacturing is engaged on methods to retain employees in L.A., the place the primary 4 seasons have been filmed, amid the present’s lately introduced transfer to New York Metropolis.
A spokesperson for NBCUniversal, which airs The Kelly Clarkson Present, disputed the poisonous work atmosphere claims in a press release to ET.
“We’re dedicated to a protected and respectful work atmosphere and take office complaints very significantly and to insinuate in any other case is unfaithful,” the assertion reads. “When points are reported they’re promptly reviewed, investigated and acted upon as applicable. The Kelly Clarkson Present strives to construct a protected, respectful and equitable office that nurtures a tradition of inclusivity and creativity.”
The Kelly Clarkson Present just isn’t the primary daytime TV manufacturing to be branded poisonous. The Ellen DeGeneres Present, TMZ and The Tyra Banks Present (which was produced by Duda), amongst others, have all additionally confronted allegations of worker mistreatment.
The Kelly Clarkson Present premiered on Sept. 9, 2019, and is presently filming its fourth season (although needed to halt manufacturing because of the author’s strike). The manufacturing has been awarded 13 Daytime Emmys, together with three for Excellent Leisure Discuss Present Host for Clarkson.
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