After just one season as a co-host of the CBS daytime talk show The Talk, Elaine Welteroth announced her departure, as reported by Newsweek.
Welteroth joined the show in January 2021 amid rapper-turned actress Eve’s exit a month prior. Carrie Ann Inaba also recently announced she isn’t returning.
“It was gratifying to be able to show up as my authentic self in front of a live national audience every day in a world as divided as ours and to stay true to myself and what I stand for,” she said in part, adding that being part of such a diverse panel as “a young Black woman,” on-air “where our perspectives are largely underrepresented” was an honor.
The show’s executive producers, Heather Gray and Kristin Matthews, said: “We wish Elaine all the best. We are grateful for her passion, enthusiasm, and insight she brought to the show daily,” they said, which is available on the show’s website. “Her openness and meaningful conversations were attributes we admired and always appreciated.”
Her exit comes amid the Sharon Osbourne controversy. Osbourne parted ways in a less than amicable fashion after accusing producers of blindsiding her with a contentious debate with Sheryl Underwood. Osbourne alleges hosts are always prepped but that in that specific case, she was not. The debate was ignited over Osbourne’s fierce defense of Pierce Morgan’s constant attacks on Meghan Markle and whether he’s a racist.
Welteroth came to Osbourne’s defense in a leaked phone conversation. Though she stood by her comments, she didn’t appreciate being secretly recorded.
Now, former NFL star Akbar Gbajabiamila will join the panel, as well as Jerry O’Connell, making them the first male co-hosts in the show’s history.
In his own statement, Gbajabiamila notes: “I am so excited for this new generation of such a long-standing establishment. To be a part of this diverse group is truly a dream and a new statement for The Talk. In a world as divided as ours, I look forward to showing up as my fun and authentic self every day and advocating for conversation over confrontation.”
The Talk premieres on September 13.
