Kelly Clarkson’s Staff ‘Feel Like Sh-t’ For Misjudging The Singer, Insider Says

Earlier this year, she took time off to handle a family emergency, and when she returned, her noticeable change in behavior left staff uneasy. Some felt she was distant and aloof, but after learning about Blackstock’s illness and, later, his passing, they realized they had jumped to conclusions.

While Kelly Clarkson has yet to address her ex-husband’s death on her show, she recently opened up about grief during an episode of her eponymous talk show.

Earlier in the year, Clarkson was on and off her self-titled show for reasons that were not disclosed at the time.

Upon returning from her absence, the singer reportedly appeared distant and aloof with her staff, which left them puzzled by the sudden change in her behavior.

“It was just such a difference from how she had been before,” a staffer who spoke with The Daily Mail said of Clarkson. “It was hard for people to not take it personally. Like, what did we do to suddenly be ignored like this?”

Clarkson’s disappearance was later linked to the declining health of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, with whom she shares two young children.

After Blackstock’s death in August from cancer, it became clear to Clarkson’s staff that the emotional toll of the situation had likely caused the noticeable change in the singer’s behavior.

“Suddenly, it was all clear to everyone,” said the employee. “And boy, did we feel like sh-t. We judged Kelly too soon. We didn’t see what she was going through.”

The employee continued, “We made it all about us. It just goes to show that you should never jump to conclusions. You just never know.”

During the period of the staff being uncertain about what was going on with Clarkson, speculation began to spread that she had plans to exit her show and be replaced by another high-profile individual.

Much of the speculation appeared in the media, which led to low morale among the team.

At one point, some staff members even considered looking for new jobs in case Clarkson decided to quit.

“We were seeing speculation in the media that Kelly was going to quit and be replaced by Hoda Kotb,” said the insider.

They added, “So we were all looking for other jobs. We forwarded job postings to each other, networked for each other. A lot of people were ready to bolt. No disrespect to Hoda, but we didn’t know what was happening or if there would even be a job for us.”

These days, it appears that Clarkson has begun to heal from the loss of someone she held dear.

According to the source, she is now slowly returning to the conversational and warm woman she was before Blackstock’s passing.

“She’s so much more talkative again,” said the insider about Clarkson, who returned to her show in September.

“She’ll stop by our desks and make conversation, ask about family members, gossip, and make jokes,” the source continued. “It’s like the old Kelly is back again. She has been dearly missed.”

While Clarkson has yet to address Blackstock’s death on her show officially, she recently spoke about grief during an episode featuring veteran singer Lionel Richie, who appeared to promote his new book.

“I do think a lot of people deal with grief in such a different way, but I love that you say, ‘Grief is the great teacher of what matters most,'” Clarkson said, referencing a line from the tome.

She then added, “And I think, no matter how you deal with grief, it is very different for everyone. But I do find that very, very true. How did you figure that out?”

Responding to Clarkson, Richie gave added context to what grief feels like for most people.

“It’s a real moment where you can’t phone it in, but at the same time, we rehearse things. You can’t rehearse grief,” the singer said.

“You can’t rehearse the loss of your mother or your father or a friend. You can’t rehearse that,” he added.

Clarkson also chimed in that the feelings that come with grief often hit you “in waves.”