It’s been almost a year to the day since the final episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show aired, and last week headlines screamed about yet another “toxic” talkshow. 11 different staffers on The Kelly Clarkson Show came forward to make allegations about being “overworked” and “underpaid”, leaving the former singer to defend her team as “the best and kindest in the business.” But instead of offering sympathy to the former singer over her (all too familiar) plight, friends say veteran host Ellen actually feels some karma has been served in seeing her long-term rival’s downfall.

“Ellen is feeling pretty smug about all this,” says an insider close to the 65-year-old, whose show was cancelled after 19 seasons and 3,000 episodes, following accusations of sexual harassment and mistreatment of production staff. “She felt like Kelly swept in and stole her gig out from under her last year, without a second thought. There was no sympathy or public support as she took her TV host crown – it felt like Kelly was kicking her at her lowest point. Ellen said she would never forgive the way it was handled, as everyone was baying for her blood and hailing Kelly as the perfect antidote to all the scandal and drama. Now Kelly’s having to deal with the same toxic accusations Ellen was faced with, of course she’s watching closely.”

It followed breaking news last week that current and former employees of Kelly’s show had complained about the set being a “toxic environment” that was “traumatising to their mental health.” There was no suggestion any accusations were directed at Kelly herself – who was called “fantastic” – but her senior production team were said to have made the anonymous staffers’ lives “hell.” Mum-of-two Kelly, 41, took to Instagram after the shocking allegations, sharing a post that read, “In my 20 years in the entertainment industry, I’ve always led with my heart and what I believed to be right. I love my team at ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’ and to find out that anyone is feeling unheard and or disrespected on this show is unacceptable.” The star, who shot to fame in 2002 as the first ever winner of American Idol, went on to say, “I have always been, and will continue to be, committed to creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment,” adding that the team is now moving to New York, where she is “more committed than ever” to making sure her team is “the best and kindest in the business.” She promised to introduce leadership training for her senior staff, including herself, ending with the promise “to ensure that any notion of toxicity is eradicated.” NBC have not responded to the accusations.

Her 6.6million followers rushed to offer their support, with one commenting, “I appreciate the fact that you acknowledged this, and your transparency on how you want the show to improve going forward! You are a class act always KC.” Another wrote, “I’m glad that this is being addressed and I understand that this was not Kelly… these anonymous people said that every time they were around Kelly that she spoke to them like they mattered and that they were sure that she wasn’t aware of what was happening.” Even a woman who works on the set voiced her opinion, writing, “The collective of us who work on your show, LOVE working on your show because of the incredibly kind, loving and compassionate environment that this show’s staff embodies… I’m looking forward to this next incredible chapter of our show and I can’t wait to show the world more of what we’re made of. Laughter, kindness, connection and heart! We’ve got this!”

Many more comments also drew a comparison with what happened to Ellen, with one writing, “It’s funny how when this happened to Ellen DeGeneres y’all did nothing to defend her, but instead bring her down … But when it’s Kelly it’s like nooo it can’t be, she’s not like that.” Another added, “I hate to say this but isn’t this how Ellen DeGeneres, who also had an amazing Talk Show on NBC, started? That gossip lost her ratings and everyone just jumped on Ellen and forgot what happiness and love she brought to people.” A third pointed out, “This happened to Ellen also. I truly believe it’s because you are strong woman bosses. You would think in 2023 woman can be assertive and powerful and not be labelled toxic or bitches.” The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended in May last year after almost twenty years, leaving behind what critics called “a complicated legacy”. After a decade at the top of her game, the star – who is married to actress Portia De Rossi – was accused of overseeing horrible working conditions, rife with racism, intimidation and bullying. Three executives were sacked after an investigation, as advertisers pulled out and ratings plummeted. At the time, Ellen issued an apology, telling her staff, “As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done. Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again.” And while staffing changes were made, it proved to be the show’s death knell, with Ellen’s pals Pink and Jennifer Aniston featuring as her final guests.

Our source continues, “Ellen’s whole world came tumbling down when she lost the show. Her downfall and global humiliation was so dramatic that in some ways she’ll never recover. It was a nightmare that turned her entire life on its head, and even now, as she and Portia try to enjoy life in Santa Barbara, Ellen’s still haunted by what happened. For a long time it felt like open season on a hate campaign against her. She received vile threats on social media, people heckling her in the streets and, of course, endless tweets about her being this Queen of Mean character, who’d finally been unmasked. The show was her legacy, and she still insists that – much like Kelly’s saying now – she knew nothing about anything toxic or mean spirited going on backstage. She was as shocked as anyone when these claims were made. She worked her butt off for that show for decades and was lucky to see it out with her head held somewhat high, but the sour taste has really lingered. Of course, she wishes Kelly no harm and says it’s unfortunate she’s having to suffer like this, but she also secretly feels this is karma…”

It’s not the first report we’ve heard of tension between the two daytime legends. Back in 2019, their feud hit the headlines, when sources claimed there had been “ugly behind-the-scenes” clashes over guests. One set insider said, “The rule is very clear, and every celebrity, manager and agent knows it, if you want to be on Ellen’s show, she must go first, she will not follow any other daytime show including Kelly”. Our source continues, “There’s certainly some schadenfreude going on here for Ellen. She’s been through all this and is getting a twisted satisfaction seeing Kelly deal with the same. Of course, she’s hoping it all turns out OK for her and her team, but she can’t help feeling a little bit vindicated…”