Ellen DeGeneres ‘Insecure’ About Kelly Clarkson’s Success: ‘It Really Sticks in Her Throat’
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Ellen DeGeneres is reportedly feeling insecure about Kelly Clarkson’s success as a daily talk show host, particularly since Clarkson took over DeGeneres’ former time slot. An insider revealed to Star that DeGeneres has struggled with Clarkson’s rising popularity, especially as Clarkson continues to dominate the ratings.
“Ellen is still tuning in and hearing how well Kelly is doing and how she’s crushing it in the ratings, how every celeb wants to get on her show,” the source shared. “It wasn’t so long ago that they all wanted to be Ellen’s friend. It really sticks in her throat.”
The source explained that DeGeneres’ frustration stems from what she perceives as Clarkson’s “two-faced” nature. “Kelly had been a frequent guest on the show,” the insider noted, adding that DeGeneres is aware of rumors that people didn’t support her during her lowest points.
“Kelly is top of her list,” the source said, referring to those who allegedly distanced themselves from Ellen when she faced controversy. Despite these tensions, Clarkson has publicly spoken highly of DeGeneres, especially when her talk show was moved into Ellen’s time slot.
In a 2022 interview, the former American Idol winner expressed gratitude toward DeGeneres, acknowledging the difficulty of following in her footsteps. “Nobody is going to fill Ellen’s shoes. I hold the Oprahs and the Ellens in such high regard,” Clarkson said.
“Very few people can conquer what they conquered. My team is very stoked, and I believe in my team. But by no means am I filling anyone’s shoes — I don’t want that pressure.” Meanwhile, DeGeneres ended her talk show in 2022 amid accusations of fostering a toxic work environment.
During her Netflix special, she addressed the backlash, saying, “When you’re a public figure, you’re open to everyone’s interpretation. And I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that, ‘What other people think of me is none of my business.’”
However, she added, “You know the truth and that’s all that matters.” Despite Clarkson’s continued success, it appears DeGeneres remains grappling with the shifting dynamics of her career and the talk show world.
