Julie Chen has officially announced herplan to step downas co-host ofThe Talk.
Chen addressed her departure in a videotaped message to viewers on Tuesday’s episode of the populardaytime talk show.
“Right now I need to spend more time at home with my husband and our young son,” she said. “So I’ve decided to leaveThe Talk.
She became emotional as she thanked her fellow hosts and crew members behind the scenes, calling them all her “family.”
“I know this show and the sisterhood it stands for will live on for many, many years to come,” she concluded.
“For eight seasons, Julie Chen has co-hosted THE TALK with incredible energy, grace and professionalism,” CBS said in a statement. “Her talents played a big role in our successful launch of CBS’ first network daytime talk show, and in the series growth into an Emmy Award-winning broadcast. All of us here have tremendous appreciation for the dedication and passion she brought to the show every day and for her generous role as an ambassador for CBS Daytime. We are grateful for her many other contributions, respect her decision wish Julie all the best in everything she does.”
Chen has served as a co-host and moderator onThe Talksince the show first premiered in 2010. Along with her job on The Talk, she also hosts CBS’sBig Brother.
Chen’s departure comes just over a week after CBS announced Sunday that Moonveswas no longer the chairman and CEO of the networkfollowing multiple allegations ofsexual misconduct.
Sonja Flemming/CBS
Chen and Moonves have been married since 2004 and share one son together, 8-year-old Charlie.
CBS and Moonves, 68, “will donate $20 million to one or more organizations that support the #MeToo movement and equality for women in the workplace,” CBS said, adding that the donation will be made immediately.
“Moonves will not receive any severance benefits at this time (other than certain fully accrued and vested compensation and benefits),” the network said, explaining that any future payments are contingent upon investigations into the allegations against Moonves and the board’s approval.
In Ronan Farrow‘spieceforThe New Yorkerpublished hours before Moonves was let go, six additional women came forward with allegations of sexual harassment and assault, including forced oral sex, exposing himself without consent, and the use of physical violence and intimidation to keep them quiet. The women said the incidents took place between the 1980s and early 2000s, Farrow reported.
Gary Gershoff/WireImage
InFarrow’s first piece on Moonves, published July 27, six women — including actress Illeana Douglas and writer Janet Jones — who professionally dealt with Moonves between the 1980s and late aughts accused him of sexual misconduct.
In a statement toThe New Yorkerin July, Moonves admitted to acting inappropriately in the past.
Chendefended her husbandon Twitter following the first round of allegations in July.
“I have known my husband, Leslie Moonves, since the late ’90s, and I have been married to him for almost 14 years. Leslie is a good man and a loving father, devoted husband and inspiring corporate leader,” she tweeted.
source: people.com
