Clarkson is one of the greatest American Idol winners and shot to global fame when she won the inaugural season of the show, launching a hugely successful musical career that has spanned more than two decades. She has released 10 studio albums, selling more than 28 million records worldwide, while also transitioning into acting and becoming a TV personality.

Clarkson has hosted more than 1,000 episodes of her popular variety talk show since it first aired in 2019, but her role could be set to end at the end of this season's run. The show has achieved acclaim for its combination of topical discussions, celebrity interviews, and musical performances. The Kelly Clarkson Show has posted strong ratings since its premiere and continues to be one of the most influential and iconic talk shows on television.

Rumors Are Circulating That Kelly Clarkson Won't Renew Her Contract When It Ends Next Year

Nothing Is Confirmed Yet, But Speculation Suggests The Star Is Not Looking To Return

Rumors have been circulating that Clarkson is not looking to renew her contract and wants to leave the show at the end of her current deal. TV Insider reported on rumors that the singer is set to quit her role next year, with an anonymous producer quoted as saying, "No one likes the uncertainty. This feels like it could collapse any minute." There is nothing concrete suggesting that this will happen, but the behind-the-scenes rhetoric appears to be one of apprehension.

The same producer was quick to confirm how highly regarded Clarkson is among the cast and crew, confirming that everyone loves her and enjoys working with her. The producer commented:

“Everyone loves Kelly. She’s a wonderful person. But maybe Hoda would be a better boss. I know she’s universally beloved and respected by her former coworkers. Maybe she would be good. She sure would be a lot more stable than what we’ve been going through. … If Kelly is unhappy, then she should move on.”

It seems that, if there is an issue, it is personal to Clarkson, and she may simply just want a break from working. There don't seem to be any obvious overarching issues related to the star and her conduct on the show that are public knowledge, and, as the producer suggests, if Clarkson is unhappy or dissatisfied with her role, this could be a key reason behind her decision, and one causing the stress that's been brewing behind the scenes.

Kelly Clarkson Took A 10-Episode Leave Of Absence In March

The Star Returned For The Show's 1,000th Episode

According to Page Six, Clarkson took an almost two-week leave of absence in March to deal with a personal matter. While she returned for the show's 1,000th episode, she made some cryptic comments that may shine a light on some of the struggles she might be facing. The "Since U Been Gone" singer gave an emotional speech in which she described herself as "lost, [and] alone, a lot" over the past six years, but did not go into details.

In 2023, the show moved its production from Los Angeles to New York City. This marked a new start following Clarkson's divorce from ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, but it appears the move has not worked out, with the star rumored to be on the verge of walking away from the show. The Kelly Clarkson Show has been renewed for a seventh season and is set to air next year, but it is unclear whether Clarkson will be involved.

Kelly Clarkson Reportedly Wants To Spend More Time With Her Kids

The Star Has Had A Grueling Schedule Since 2018

While it is unconfirmed exactly why there are rumors Clarkson is looking to depart, one major idea could be her desire to spend more time with her children. A source told Page Six, "Kelly’s number one priority is her children, and they always will be... The show is grueling. It’s a whole lot of work, and I hear that Kelly would like to spend more time down South.” Following the star's 2023 divorce, it makes sense that she would want to spend more time with her children, especially since they are still relatively young.

Hosting a popular daytime talk show such as The Kelly Clarkson Show is high-intensity and time-consuming. With 180 episodes each season to date (except season 4), there's a good chance that Clarkson has been working flat out since the show debuted. Furthermore, Clarkson had a highly successful stint as a judge on The Voice before hosting her show, so she has likely been working nonstop since 2018. This is a lot of work and a lot of time away from her family, so understandably, she might be looking to take a break in the near future.

Hoda Kotb Is Being Rumored As A Possible Replacement In Clarkson's Timeslot

The Former Today Co-Anchor Could Step In As Clarkson's Successor

There have also been rumors about what might happen if Clarkson decides to step away from the show and what this would mean for the future. There's a possibility it could signify the end of The Kelly Clarkson Show. However, there is also a chance the show will continue with a different host, and the show will carry on under a new name. Hoda Kotb, who recently retired as co-anchor of Today, is someone who has been rumored as a possible replacement.

If this ultimately does happen, it's unclear if Kotb would take over as host, or just take the timeslot, and host The Hoda Kotb Show, or whatever the name winds up being. Of course, all this will depend on Clarkson, as it feels highly likely NBC will pull out the stops to try to retain her and might even be willing to make concessions to keep the star happy. For now, the future of The Kelly Clarkson Show remains unclear, and if the rumors are true, the host could be heading into her final year, so it will be interesting to see what the coming months will bring.

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Sources: TV Insider, Page Six