Julie Chen Moonves "Felt Stabbed in the Back" By Her Controversial Exit from 'The Talk'
Julie Chen Moonves has finally spoken up about her departure from The Talk back in September 2018. The Big Brother host talks about leaving the series after eight years as a co-host and panelist in But First, God, her recently-released audio memoir.
“That was a hard time,” she said while interviewed on Good Morning America. “I felt stabbed in the back. I was.”
The TV veteran was a part of the series from the get-go in 2010. Her departure came suddenly, but she told viewers at the time, "I need to spend more time at home with my husband and our young son, so I’ve decided to leave The Talk.” And years after the fact, she has addressed the situation once more, showing that was all talk.
Related: Everything to Know About Big Brother 25
In the memoir, which has Chen Moonves looking back on the highs and lows of her life through the new lens of her recently-found spirituality, she reveals that she feels she had not voluntarily left The Talk, but was forced out of it.
"I was told with my name and my husband's name being in the headlines and all this chaos," she recalls. "Two of my co-hosts called the powers at CBS and said, 'If Julie shows up to work tomorrow, we're not coming in.' So I was basically told, please don't come back to work anymore at The Talk."
Chen Moonves is, of course, referring to the allegations made against her husband and then-chairman and CEO of CBS Les Moonves in 2018. That year, the media exec became the source of controversy when several women came out against him with allegations of sexual misconduct and intimidation. He resigned in September, prompting many eyes to then turn to Chen Moonves and her role on two currently-airing CBS series.
"In short: yes, I was collateral damage," she says. "I felt robbed, and I felt wronged. I felt like so many people that I loved and trusted or thought were friends…wow, they did me so dirty."
Despite hitting her low that "gutted my sense of self," Chen Moonves was able to find that self again through faith. She has proceeded to continue her emcee job on Big Brother, adding "Moonves" to her broadcast name to show support for her husband. She has found new avenues for storytelling, whether in podcasts or writing. And it has given her the space and grace to go back to those difficult times.
"I'm happy to report that since that tough day, I have talked to both of these people and truly all is forgiven," she says. "Today, nearly five years later, I see the silver lining in what was a traumatic loss in my life. I left a job I loved and never thought I was going to leave, but I gained a relationship with God."
Next, check out our Big Brother 25 interview with Julie Chen Moonves.
