‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’ Staffer Reveals Host’s Behavior Leading Up to Brandon Blackstock’s Death

Kelly Clarkson’s behavior has shifted several times this year, and now staffers on her talk show are opening up about the tension behind the scenes.

Months before the tragic death of her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock was made public, employees at The Kelly Clarkson Show were bracing for changes, one staffer told DailyMail.

“We were seeing speculation in the media that Kelly was going to quit and be replaced by Hoda Kotb,” an anonymous staffer told the outlet.

Team members began “looking for other jobs” and “were ready to bolt.” Tension escalated when Clarkson disappeared from the talk show in March, missing 10 episodes while celebrity guests stepped in. Staff, like viewers, were told she was dealing with a “family emergency,” according to the report.

“It was just such a difference from how she had been before. It was hard for people to not take it personally,” the staffer continued. “Like, what did we do to suddenly be ignored like this?”

The crew had grown accustomed to Clarkson’s hands-on approach. The staffer described the American Idol alum as a boss who learned the names of employees’ family members and made personal connections.

Then, in July, Clarkson abruptly canceled a Las Vegas performance just 90 minutes before showtime. The following month, she canceled the remainder of her Vegas residency.

It all began to make sense in August when news broke that Clarkson’s ex-husband and the father of her two children had died at 48 after battling cancer.

“Suddenly it was all clear to everyone,” the staffer said. “And boy, did we feel like s**t. We judged Kelly too soon. We didn’t see what she was going through. We made it all about us. It just goes to show that you should never jump to conclusions. You just never know.”

Now, Clarkson’s behavior has shifted once again, the employee says. “She’s so much more talkative,” the team member explained. “She’ll stop by our desks and make conversations, ask about family members, gossip and make jokes. It’s like the old Kelly is back again. She has been dearly missed.”

Clarkson and Blackstock’s divorce was finalized in 2022. The exes share two children: River Rose, 11, and Remi Alexander, 9.