Kelly Clarkson is under intense pressure, and those close to her fear she’s nearing a breaking point. The singer-turned-daytime-TV-host raised eyebrows after abruptly stepping away from The Kelly Clarkson Show for two weeks, igniting concerns about her emotional well-being and the future of her show.
The break came as the 42-year-old returned on March 20, just in time to celebrate the show’s 1,000th episode. During the broadcast, Clarkson admitted she has faced a series of personal ups and downs and revealed she had “lost a lot,” though she didn’t offer specifics.
Career pressures mount as ratings slide
Clarkson’s hit show, which launched in 2019 to great success with 1.9 million viewers, has seen a sharp ratings drop. According to insiders, viewership has fallen to around 1.2 million in its sixth season—down from its early peak and now trailing behind rival The Drew Barrymore Show, which currently averages 1.5 million.
“She’s worried that if ratings don’t turn around, she could be canceled,” a friend close to Clarkson shared. “She gave up touring and put music on pause for this show, and now she’s wondering if it was a mistake.”
In a bold move last year, Clarkson relocated the production from Los Angeles to New York City in hopes of revamping the series. But despite the change, the ratings have continued to lag, leaving her to question the future of her TV career.
Personal struggles linger post-divorce
Behind the scenes, Clarkson is also battling emotional stress from her ongoing struggles with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock. The pair divorced in 2020 after nearly seven years of marriage and share two children—River, 10, and Remington, 8.
Friends say co-parenting with Blackstock, along with raising two kids alone in a new city, has taken a heavy toll.
“She’s constantly juggling her show, her kids, and this tense relationship with Brandon,” a source said. “It feels like the weight of it all is crushing her.”
Though Clarkson took time off in hopes of resetting her mental health, insiders suggest the break may not have brought the relief she was seeking.
“She tried to clear her head,” the friend explained. “But the root of her pain hasn’t changed. People around her are seriously concerned that she’s nearing a breakdown.”
Despite the challenges, Clarkson has remained open about her mental health struggles in the past, often using her platform to speak candidly about the realities of divorce, motherhood, and burnout. Whether she’ll rebound with a new season boost or choose to return to music full-time remains to be seen.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.