Public Appalled as This Celebrity Is Reportedly Being Considered to Replace Kelly Clarkson on Her Daytime Show

Fans were still adjusting to her emotional farewell when whispers of a comeback began. With a high-profile hosting seat possibly opening up, network insiders say a surprising contender is already in the mix.

NBC is reportedly eyeing a former "TODAY" show co-host as a potential replacement for Kelly Clarkson on her daytime talk show, stirring strong reactions across the internet.

According to an insider at NBC, Kotb is among a "long list" of names being considered should Clarkson step away from her hit program. The Grammy-winning singer's contract ends next year, and while no final decision has been made, sources say Kotb is firmly on the network's radar.

"There's a long list of names and Hoda is part of that list," said the source. "NBC never wanted Hoda to leave. The question is would Hoda want to do it?" Kotb's name entering the conversation comes just months after her sudden departure from "TODAY" in January, a move that surprised many fans.

Now, with Clarkson rumored to be eyeing an exit, the network appears to be exploring all options. News of Kotb's consideration spread quickly online, igniting a wave of reactions from viewers.

Fans of Clarkson were quick to voice their concern. "Kelly.....PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE!!!!" pleaded one viewer on social media. Another urged, "Please don't do that. Kelly is really cool to watch."

But not everyone was thrilled at the idea of Kotb stepping into the spotlight. Critics took to social platforms to share their disapproval. "She cannot sing either," one comment read. Another user criticized her demeanor, "Too much laughing all the time… giggly and annoying."

Some were more blunt, with comments like "Would not watch her… silly acting woman," "Definitely won't watch," and "Oh God even worse."

Despite the backlash, Kotb supporters chimed in with praise, pushing back on the criticism. "Hoda is too good to be hosting Kelly's bad talk show," one commenter wrote, suggesting Kotb's talent is above the gig entirely.

While talk swirls about her future on television, Clarkson is shifting focus back to her music. The "American Idol" winner is preparing for a major year in her singing career, setting the stage for what could be a significant new chapter.

Clarkson is set to release her ninth studio album this June, under her own label. Just weeks later, she will kick off a new Las Vegas residency running from July 4 through August 16. Additional performances are scheduled for November 7 to 15.

These plans mark a high-profile return to her musical roots and could be influencing her stance on whether to stay with her talk show. "If the album doesn't do well, she might want to keep her talk show," an NBC source noted. "But she has a lot going on and the timing may be right for the next chapter."

Network insiders say NBC is already thinking ahead. Executives are reportedly interested in a well-known replacement — someone with name recognition and a following. Kotb fits that mold, and her diverse appeal could further strengthen her candidacy.

Neither Clarkson nor Kotb has addressed the swirling reports, leaving fans and industry watchers guessing. In the meantime, Clarkson's recent on-air absence has only added to the uncertainty.

In March, TMZ reported that her sudden step back from "The Kelly Clarkson Show" at the time wasn't a cause for concern. According to sources, Clarkson is in good health but has been dealing with a personal matter that doesn’t directly involve her.

Still, her abrupt disappearance, which led actor Simu Liu to step in as a last-minute host, sparked a storm of speculation online. Fans expressed concern for her well-being, with others demanding an official update from NBC.

Clarkson returned briefly for a few episodes but had not been seen onstage since the beginning of March. Despite reassurances that all is well, the extended absence kept viewers on edge and added fuel to the conversation about her future.

Kotb's potential return to daytime television comes after a deeply personal decision to step back from the spotlight. In September 2024, the longtime "TODAY" show co-host announced her departure after seven years at the desk alongside Savannah Guthrie.

Her reason: a renewed focus on family and a desire for a slower pace. Turning 60 became a key moment of reflection. Speaking during a segment on "TODAY," Kotb revealed that the milestone made her realize it was time for a new direction.

She recalled being surrounded by fans during the birthday celebration and feeling as though she had reached the peak of her career, prompting her to consider that it might be the perfect moment to move on.

Kotb's decision was also shaped by the exhausting schedule that came with early morning television. Waking up at 3 a.m. each day had become increasingly difficult, particularly with two young daughters, Haley and Hope, who are now 7 and 5 years old.

She has acknowledged that starting a family later in life led her to reassess how she divides her time, saying that her children deserved more of her attention.

"Obviously I had my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie that I have," she shared. "I feel like we only have a finite amount of time. And so, with all that being said, this is the hardest thing in the world."

A source close to Kotb said the demands of a morning show had worn on her and her family. In contrast, a daytime talk show would be a "cakewalk."

Though she stepped away from "TODAY," Kotb hasn't slowed down creatively. She's channeling her energy into a new venture — one she hinted at during a guest appearance on Clarkson's show.

"So I kind of got hooked in the wellness space like a couple of years ago," she told Clarkson. "I started doing stuff that I thought seemed woo woo and weird and then all of a sudden as I was doing it I was like wait, I feel calmer, I feel better."

Her next project? A full-fledged wellness brand set to launch in spring. Plans include an app, wellness retreats, a podcast, and other initiatives designed to bring people together. As she puts it, the goal is to "do things that I love."

Whether that path leads Kobt back to a studio audience remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Kotb is not done telling her story — she's just rewriting the next chapter.