Former ‘Today’ Star Ann Curry Says Being Fired by NBC News Still ‘Hurts Really Deeply’
Ann Curry was given the coveted co-hosting seat on the Today Show in 2011 after years of serving as news reader. Terminated after just one year, Curry’s ousting from the morning news program was rumored to be orchestrated by lead anchor Matt Lauer.
While Curry has stayed active on reporting, the journalist recently admitted her exit from the NBC show still stings.
Ann Curry gives an emotional goodbye on the ‘Today Show’
In June 2012, a tearful Curry signed off from the Today Show for the last time with an emotional farewell.
“This is not as I expected, to ever leave this couch, after 15 years [at NBC]. But I am so grateful, especially to all of you who watch,” Curry said on the air, as reported by Elle. “I’m sorry I couldn’t carry the ball over the finish line. But man, I did try!”
In a 2018 interview, Curry broke her silence on the topic and revealed the pain it caused her personally and professionally.
“It hurt like hell,” she told People. “It hurt so much, but I learned a lot about myself. I can say I’ve done nothing wrong – I’ve been honest and true. I’ve tried to stay pure, I’ve tried to not respond in a knee-jerk manner, and I’ve stayed very close to who I am. So it hurt, but I’m also proud of myself.”
‘Today’ alum had reported Matt Lauer to NBC brass
Lauer’s firing due to accusations of sexual misconduct became Today’s top news item in November 2017. The following year, Curry said she was “not surprised by the allegations” in an interview with Gayle King and Norah O’Donnell. The journalist also disclosed to the Washington Post that one of Lauer’s accusers had come to her for help in 2012.
“I told management they had a problem and they needed to keep an eye on him and how he deals with women,” Curry told the news outlet.
Though it has been eight years since her firing, Curry still isn’t exactly sure of why she was let go. Rumors of her going to NBC brass about Lauer as causing the termination have not been confirmed.
“I still don’t really understand,” she told Elle this month. “I know I did nothing wrong, I know I was good at my job.”
Curry added, “I think that many people have guessed why [I was replaced], but I’ve held myself back. I’ve asked people why, and I haven’t gotten a good answer.”
Ann Curry still has pain but no regrets
Though she’s moved on to other news projects including TNT’s Chasing the Cure, Curry hasn’t fully healed from her tumultuous departure from NBC.
“The bottom line is that it still hurts,” she revealed. “It honestly hurts really deeply, because I really think I did nothing wrong. But in spite of the pain of it, which still lingers, I know that I contributed to some people suffering less. But I tell you, it was tough. It was hard to walk that line, to not add more [suffering]. Boy, oh boy, was it tough.”
Curry takes comfort in knowing she wouldn’t change anything about her journey and feels confident in her work as a journalist. The former Today star remarked on the strength she’s gained from the painful experience.
“I have no regrets about how I’ve behaved,” Curry said. “And I’m very proud, in spite of everything, of all the work I was able to achieve. I don’t really think about it very often, I really don’t. But when I do, it does hurt still, because it takes time to heal. But what I’ve learned is that you rise stronger.”
