Kelly Clarkson has been noticeably absent from the spotlight. Last week, speculation mounted as the singer-turned-talk show host missed ten consecutive episodes of The Kelly Clarkson Show.

She finally returned last Thursday after a weeks-long hiatus, but according to the Daily Mail, her comeback has done little to ease growing tensions behind the scenes.

No official explanation has been provided for her disappearance from the NBC daytime show, aside from vague suggestions that she was dealing with “personal issues.”

However, insiders now report a significant shift in the 42-year-old’s demeanor. Once known for her warm and engaging presence—chatting with crew members about their families, sharing laughs, and even playfully apologizing for being a distraction—Clarkson has reportedly become far more distant and reserved since her return.

An employee who has been with the show for over a year shared that Clarkson was once incredibly accessible and approachable.

“She’d stand at your desk and just talk. Ask about your life. She knows the names of everyone’s husbands and kids and would ask about them by name,” the staffer continues.

“She’d talk and talk, and then she’d suddenly apologize for taking you away from your work. I was always like, “You’re the boss; you don’t need to apologize,” and she’d laugh.”

Since Clarkson’s return, she has been closely surrounded by handlers who have limited her interactions with staff and helped her steer clear of any uncomfortable questions regarding her absence. Another team member acknowledged that while there’s noticeable anxiety among the show’s 100-plus employees, they’ve been regularly assured that layoffs are not on the horizon.

“It’s just a very weird vibe now, and no one has any idea what’s going on,’ the employee added. ‘It’s really unsettling. It’s not knowing that really makes things hard for everyone.”

“When you don’t know what’s going on, you just assume the worst. That’s human nature.”

During the 1,000th episode of her talk show, Clarkson grew emotional, wiping away tears as she hinted at personal struggles, saying she had “lost a lot” without offering further details.

Clarkson told the audience, “We have laughed together, we have cried together with beautiful stories, sang together with some people, danced together, celebrated and competed together. I’ve lost, alone, a lot.”

A source close to Clarkson revealed that the past few years have been particularly difficult for her, especially following her contentious 2022 divorce from Brandon Blackstock after nine years of marriage. When she launched her talk show, her relationship was already falling apart, leaving her feeling isolated. Despite being surrounded by people at work, she often returned home alone as a single mother, unable to share her professional success with her partner.

Although Clarkson’s team has chosen not to disclose the specifics of her recent challenges, sources say she’s beginning to turn a corner. One insider told Daily Mail she’s feeling optimistic and is looking ahead to the next 1,000 episodes following this major milestone.