Ann Curry Reflects on Matt Lauer’s Firing Amid Misconduct Allegations
Former Today co-anchor Ann Curry is speaking candidly about the surprise termination of her former co-host Matt Lauer from NBC following serious allegations of sexual misconduct. In a heartfelt interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Ann admitted she couldn’t revel in Matt’s departure because of the profound impact his actions had on others. “The truth is, I was brought up Catholic by a Buddhist. So, I carry this mix of Catholic guilt and karma. It’s intense. When Matt was fired, it felt like a wall went up in my mind, like something out of Game of Thrones. I couldn’t celebrate because I knew too many people had suffered,” she explained during the Jan. 22 episode.
When Stephen Colbert asked if Matt’s firing wasn’t just his karma coming back to bite him, Ann responded thoughtfully. “That’s a great point, but it’s not just about karma. You have to think about the pain. A lot of people were deeply hurt by his actions. There’s no joy in that for me. There are so many reasons why I haven’t celebrated, and honestly, I don’t think I ever will,” she said, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Ann Curry and Matt Lauer during their time on Today.
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Ann Curry’s Journey on Today and Her Fallout with Matt Lauer
Ann Curry, now 61, worked alongside Matt Lauer, 60, on the Today show from 1997 until 2012. In 2011, she was promoted to co-anchor, replacing the iconic Meredith Vieira. However, her tenure was short-lived, as she was let go in 2012 due to what NBC described as a "lack of chemistry" with Matt. At the time, insiders revealed the truth: “Ann was pushed out because Matt didn’t want her there. It became a very personal matter between the two of them,” said a prominent NBC staffer.
When Matt was fired, many Today fans assumed Ann would be overjoyed. But she set the record straight in a previous interview with People. “I wish I could say I celebrated, but I checked myself. I knew women had been hurt. I’m not someone who revels in another person’s downfall. I understand what it feels like to be humiliated. I just don’t want to be part of anyone else’s humiliation,” she explained. During another interview on CBS This Morning, Ann admitted she wasn’t shocked by the allegations against Matt. “I’m walking a fine line here, trying not to hurt anyone. But I can tell you this: there was a climate of verbal harassment on the show. I’d be surprised if women didn’t notice it. It was verbal sexual harassment, plain and simple,” she added.
Ann Curry’s Resilience and Growth After Today
In her candid interview with People, Ann Curry opened up about the pain of leaving Today and how it shaped her. “Getting fired hurt so much. It was excruciating. But I learned a lot about myself through that experience. I can say with confidence that I’ve done nothing wrong. I’ve stayed true to my values. I’ve tried to remain pure and authentic. Even though it was painful, I’m proud of how I handled it,” she shared.
