AceShowbiz - Kelly Clarkson is reportedly contemplating stepping down from her popular daytime talk show when her contract with NBC expires next year. The show, which launched in 2019, has quickly become a staple of daytime television, but the pressures and workload appear to be taking a toll on Clarkson.

According to PageSix, Clarkson's recent unexplained two-week absence from "The Kelly Clarkson Show" was due to a "personal matter." While she has not publicly detailed the reasons behind her hiatus, industry insiders suggest that her primary motivation is to spend more quality time with her children, River Rose, 10, and Remy, 8.

"Kelly's number one priority is her children, and they always will be," says an insider. "The show is grueling. It's a whole lot of work, and I hear that Kelly would like to spend more time down South."

Upon her return to the show, Clarkson delivered an emotional speech celebrating the show's 1,000th episode. She reflected on the personal and professional challenges she has faced over the past six years, including a difficult divorce from her former manager, Brandon Blackstock. "I've lost, alone, a lot," she admitted during the heartfelt segment.

Despite its success, "The Kelly Clarkson Show" is known to be expensive to produce, with tight profit margins. Clarkson, who was reportedly paid around $10 million per season as a judge on NBC's "The Voice," is believed to earn even more for her hosting duties - a deal was brokered before her separation from Blackstock.

On a more positive note, the show's acclaim is undeniable, boasting 22 Daytime Emmys and consistently robust ratings. Yet, as sources confirm, NBC is desperate to keep Clarkson within the network, eyeing her for hosting roles in high-profile specials like "Christmas in Rockefeller Center."

In response to speculation about Clarkson potentially joining the "Today" show to replace Hoda Kotb, insiders dismissed the claim. "If she wants to spend more time with her kids, she certainly wouldn't get that [at 'Today']," noted an industry source.

Clarkson herself has expressed a desire for change to benefit her family. In a 2023 interview, she recalled a conversation with NBC about relocating her show from Los Angeles to New York for a fresh start closer to family. "I was like, 'Y'all, I love doing this show. I really do...but I gotta make a change for me and my family,' " she said.

As fans and industry watchers wait to see Clarkson's next move, it's clear that her commitment to her family will guide her future endeavors.