Drew Barrymore and Kelly Clarkson’s Daytime Talk Show Feud: ‘They Want the Crown at Any Cost’

Daytime queens Drew Barrymore and Kelly Clarkson are battling it out to claim the talk-show crown — and the no-holds-barred competition has left their once mutually supportive friendship in tatters, sources tell The National ENQUIRER.

Snitches say Drew, 49, is desperate to woo viewers, especially in Middle America, in an effort to come out on top against rival chatterbox Kelly, 42.

“Drew and Kelly are locked in a pretty heated battle for the daytime talk-show crown that Ellen DeGeneres owned for years,” explains a TV insider. “Even though Kelly has a mild edge in the ratings, Drew is still more famous, and her lifetime of industry friends and contacts has allowed her to create viral moments pretty regularly.”

Already, Drew’s show saw a 25 percent increase in viewership in 2024 over the previous season.

Even though their ratings war has “soured” things between them, the Charlie’s Angels star and the American Idol alum are determined not to “take cheap shots” at each other, our spy says.

“There was a time, especially when Drew was just starting out, that she and Kelly spoke a lot. Drew let it be known how much she admired Kelly, and they got very chummy, but that’s all stopped now. They both want to win this battle and be the top dog, and that unfortunately makes things very awkward, so they just don’t talk at all anymore,” blabs the mole.

Drew is joining the reboot of Hollywood Squares, where she’ll occupy the coveted center square. She has ulterior motives for signing on to the show, which airs on CBS in prime time, the tipster tattles.

“Drew is hoping that when viewers see her on Hollywood Squares, they’ll be moved to sample her talk show, even if they’re loyal to Kelly. She’s trying to find a way to appeal to Middle America, which is where Kelly really shines,” the snitch says.

“She would never frame it this way, but she’s trying to poach Kelly’s fans, which is pretty cutthroat,” adds the tattler. “It’s no wonder she’s backed off the friendship, as she wants to win this battle at all costs!”

And Kelly is “just as ambitious,” according to the insider.

“Make no mistake, they’re both chasing the same daytime talk crown — and the generational wealth that comes with it,” spills a source.