“Miss Independent” strikes again.
Kelly Clarkson performed at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Saturday and admitted that she argues with HR amid reports that she wants to quit her NBC daytime talk show.
According to People magazine, someone in the audience told Clarkson, 43, that she looks “sexy” after she used a weight loss drug to slim down. She then explained that she has a hard time not complimenting people’s looks on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”
“Every time I go to an HR meeting, I’m like, ‘How have I not been fired?’” she said. “I grew up on the road at 19 years old, you know what I’m saying? I’m like, ‘Oh, that is inappropriate. I would never.’
“But they also say you’re not allowed to say someone looks attractive, and I say f–k that,” Clarkson continued. “Because some of those bitches are out here working, and we’re trying, and I want every motherf–ker that passes me to go, ‘Damn. Well done.’”
The “Where Have You Been” singer recalled that her feelings on the topic once led to her “nearly getting in a fight” with an HR representative.
“They were like, ‘Well, it might make people feel bad that they looked bad before.’ I was fat before, so I’m saying I want you to say, ‘Damn,’” Clarkson told the audience.
The Grammy winner added that there’s “nothing wrong” with anyone’s bodies and said she “felt very confident” when she weighed more.
“I felt fine both ways,” she explained, “but I’m just saying it’s a lot more fun with clothes now. And I’ve been working on it.”
Clarkson also joked that she “will not be calling HR” about the fan’s compliment.
“It is not a joke. I know HR is not a joke,” she said, “but it is really funny some of the things they talk about, and we’re like, ‘Oh no. We would never.’”
During the concert, Clarkson also mentioned her talk show and that she allegedly wants to leave.
“We love the talk show, but we usually don’t get to do shows because of the schedule, so thank you so much,” she said to the crowd. “It’s cool. It’s only like two hours away from home in New York City.”
The Post previously reported that Clarkson is tired of her talk show schedule and considering stepping away to spend more time with her children when her contract with NBC expires next year.
“Kelly’s No. 1 priority is her children, and they always will be,” one industry insider said at the time. “The show is grueling. It’s a whole lot of work and I hear that Kelly would like to spend more time down South.”
Clarkson missed a string of episodes in the spring without explanation. Guest co-hosts included Simu Liu, Andy Cohen, Molly Sims and Brooke Shields.
“The Kelly Clarkson Show” has won 22 Daytime Emmys — but the ratings have steadily declined since its launch in 2019. The show drew an average of 1.2 million viewers this season, compared to 1.9 million when it debuted.
Last week, The Post learned from an NBC insider that Hoda Kotb is an option to replace Clarkson.
Kotb, 60, left NBC’s “Today” in January after nearly 18 years to prioritize her daughters and other work obligations.
Sims, Wanda Sykes, Willie Geist, Roy Wood Jr., Josh Groban and Maria Shriver are also in the running to replace Clarkson, the source told The Post.
