Kelly Clarkson not too long ago reached fairly a formidable milestone on her award-winning discuss present, as her 1,000th episode aired as a part of the 2025 TV schedule. The American Idol alum stays one of the crucial beloved personalities on daytime TV, which is precisely why it’s so laborious to imagine she could possibly be leaving. Behind-the-scenes points and Clarkson’s unexplained absences have had followers anxious, and now there’s even a reputation that’s been floated as her potential substitute.
The latest rumor relating to the oh-so-relatable Kelly Clarkson doubtlessly not renewing her contract when it expires subsequent yr means that one other lady very acquainted to NBC audiences might take over the coveted timeslot — none apart from Hoda Kotb. In response to a supply for the New York Submit:
There’s an extended checklist of names and Hoda is a part of that checklist. NBC by no means wished Hoda to depart. The query is would Hoda wish to do it?
Hoda Kotb shocked followers by leaving The Right this moment Present earlier this yr, saying she wished to spend extra time together with her two younger daughters. With the ability to focus extra on her personal two youngsters is allegedly one of many causes Kelly Clarkson may be seeking to depart daytime TV; nonetheless, the schedule may be one which Kotb finds rather more accommodating than what she was used to on the NBC morning present.
Whereas I’m certain NBCUniversal can be thrilled to have Hoda Kotb again, I might think about their desire can be to maintain Kelly Clarkson from leaving within the first place. In its 5 accomplished seasons, The Kelly Clarkson Present has racked up 22 Daytime Emmy Awards, together with Clarkson successful for Excellent Daytime Discuss Collection Host 4 out of these 5 seasons. The community was even prepared to maneuver the present from Los Angeles to New York for Clarkson in 2023.
Nonetheless, rumors began swirling when the host missed a number of episodes in March and April, giving no clarification for why Simu Liu and different celebs have been stepping in for her. The absences have been later reported to be as a consequence of a “household emergency,”
Whether or not or not there’s something occurring in her private life that requires extra focus is unknown, however we do know that Kelly Clarkson has different initiatives within the works. She’s received a residency scheduled at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas with dates in July, August and November, and in June she’s going to launch a brand new album — which is able to embody a track impressed by Solely Murders within the Constructing.
In truth the insider recommended the way forward for The Kelly Clarkson Present might hinge on the success (or lack thereof) of that album, as they mentioned:
If the album doesn’t do nicely, she may wish to preserve her discuss present. However she has lots occurring and the timing could also be proper for the following chapter.
I definitely don’t wish to imagine that Kelly Clarkson is able to finish her well-liked discuss present, and the truth that Hoda Kotb’s title has allegedly come up as a potential substitute doesn’t make me really feel higher (as a lot as I really like Kotb). Sources mentioned different individuals who might doubtlessly be up for the spot embody Wanda Sykes, Willie Geist, Molly Sims, Roy Wooden Jr., Josh Groban and Maria Shriver.
Kelly Clarkson’s contract takes her via 2026 and a seventh season of her discuss present, so technically (hopefully) this isn’t one thing we have to fear about simply but. We’ll need to preserve our ears out for some other rumblings within the meantime, although, as we proceed to catch The Kelly Clarkson Present each weekday. Verify your native listings for time and channel.