Kelly Clarkson is set to take over Hoda Kotb’s former spot on the iconic Today sofa, an NBC insider told DailyMail.com.
The singer turned chat show host is ‘contemplating’ taking the prestigious gig, with bosses at the Peacock network desperate to keep her amid claims she’s been ‘overwhelmed’ by the work involved in her eponymous show.
A 30 Rock spy explained to DailyMail.com brass are ‘scrambling to keep’ Clarkson, after moving filming for her show to the network’s NYC headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Center in September just ‘to keep her happy.’
An offer to help host Today was also extended as a result, our source said, which the star is said to be considering carefully. As for the host’s unexplained ten-episode absence from the ‘Kelly Clarkson Show’ this month, the insider said Clarkson simply had to step away after suddenly finding herself ‘overwhelmed’.
The 42-year-old finalized her divorce with longtime husband – and former manager – Brandon Blackstock back in March 2022, and now she’s looking to spend more time with her kids, the source said.
The schedule on her current show, the source said, has made a good work-life balance difficult, the mole told DailyMail.com.
But landing a spot on Today’s fourth hour could make life easier for Clarkson.
Aside from seeing her return home an hour earlier, it would see Clarkson become part of a team, with her workload more evenly spread.
The American Idol winner’s current show requires both singing and hosting duties starting at 11am ET.
Hoda Kotb’s spot on the Today’s fourth hour is still up for grabs – and an NBC insider has insight about the top talent said to be next in line. The host’s tearful goodbye with costars Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Savannah Guthrie, and more back in September is seen here
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the insider said fellow NBC talent – and longtime Hoda friend – Kelly Clarkson is thinking about taking the seat
There’s little chance of Clarkson having to break into song on Today, meaning a move to the morning show would be less physically-taxing.
The singer, the source said, is willing to walk away from daytime TV altogether after being worn down over the schedule for six years.
A promotion to Hoda’s old spot could be perceived as less stressful and would likely land Clarkson an eight-figure salary.
‘TV is a rough business,’ the source familiar with the behind-closed-door talks said. ‘The hard work to stay on top is endless.
‘Kelly wants to spend more time with her kids,’ they continued, before offering some insight on the American Idol winner’s mindset.
‘She feels she is missing too much of their lives.
‘She is now contemplating leaving [her show] and replacing Hoda.’
Of her recent string of absences that came to an end Thursday, the source explained, ‘She was overwhelmed.’
‘Hoda stepped away [in November] to spend more time with her kids.
‘It inspired Kelly to do the same.’
‘Life is short, they are growing up too fast,’ the source added of how Clarkson feels about the time spent with her son and daughter, aged 8 and 10.
Switching to Today is believed to have offered Clarkson a tempting compromise that would keep her at the pinnacle of her network TV career while also letting her enjoy being a mom more.
The 30 Rock spy told DailyMail.com brass are ‘scrambling to keep’ the singer on, after they moved filming for her show to 30 Rock in September just ‘to keep her happy’
‘Life is short, they are growing up too fast,’ the source added of how Clarkson feels about the time spent with her son Remy and daughter River Rose, aged 8 and 10, respecitvely
They also spoke one how she’s now mulling taking the Hoda-less hour – now manned by Jenna Bush Hager (left) and countless stand-ins like Eva Longoria (right)
The insider reiterated that Clarkson and Hoda – are ‘friends’, six months after the latter sent shockwaves through the industry by announcing her exit.
Kotb will remain with NBC, although her next gig with the network has not been announced.
The beloved TV star stood down from her gig because she wanted to spend more time with her children.
Craig Melvin, a former Today contributor, has since stepped up to assume her old spot on the third hour, alongside Jenna Bush Hager.
Hager has been hosting with a revolving door of guests to help fill out the couch, including big names like Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria, and Dwayne Wade.
‘They already moved the show to New York [in September] to keep her happy,’ the source said of Clarkson and the apparent olive branch, as staffers struggle to keep her on.
Another insider at the network added how ‘several A-list celebrities have reached out for the job, interested’, but that ‘NBC is still a ways away from naming a full-time replacement’.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the network for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.