Kelly Clarkson has issued a statement following allegations from former staff members on her talk show.
As reported by Page Six, former staff members for The Kelly Clarkson Show have spoken out to slam the "toxic" work environment behind the scenes.
Staffers were reported left feeling "overworked and underpaid" following their time working on the show, and even made allegations of being "bullied and intimidated" by producers that left them "traumatized".
The damning allegations were made as part of a Rolling Stone exposé. One ex-staff member told the magazine: "I remember going up on the roof of the stage to cry, being like, 'Oh, my gosh, what am I doing? Why am I putting myself through this?'"
Another former employee described their time working on the show as "by far the worst experience I’ve ever had in my entire life".
"It deterred me from wanting to work in daytime [television] ever again," they added. "When I say I was traumatized, I was really traumatized."
Some employees even claimed to having to get second jobs - such as dog walking or babysitting - just to be able to pay their bills.
Many of the employees were sure to note to Rolling Stone that the 'Since You've Been Gone' singer has no idea of the alleged working conditions staff members were enduring, with one person telling the magazine: "NBC is protecting the show because it’s their new money maker, but Kelly has no clue how unhappy her staff is."
Another former employee reportedly described Clarkson as "fantastic", adding that she treated everybody with dignity.
Now, 41-year-old Clarkson has taken to Instagram to issue a statement regarding the allegations, and has promised to "eradicate" any notion of toxicity in the workplace.
"In my 20 years in the entertainment industry, I've always led with my heart and what I believed to be right," Clarkson writes. "I love my team at 'The Kelly Clarkson Show', and to find out that anyone is feeling unheard and or disrespected on this show is unacceptable.
"I have always been, and will continue to be, committed to creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment at 'The Kelly Clarkson Show'.
"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.
"There is always room to grow and ensure we are all being/becoming the best version of ourselves in any business, especially when it comes to leadership, the ensure that any notion of toxicity is eradicated."
In a statement to PEOPLE, a spokesperson for NBCUniversal has also said: "We are committed to a safe and respectful work environment and take workplace complaints very seriously and to insinuate otherwise is untrue."
The Kelly Clarkson Show has run for four seasons since 2019 and is fast approaching its 700th episode.
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