The Talk has been going through quite an overhaul within the last year, as co-hosts seem to be shifting in and out. It began with Eve departing last December before Sharon Osbourne’s dramatic exit after her heated exchange with co-host Sheryl Underwood. Soon after Osbourne’s departure, Carrie Ann Inaba took a leave of absence in April. Now, as newly-announced co-host Jerry O’Connell prepares to make his debut in a few weeks, Inaba has become the latest co-host to leave The Talk. And she marked the occasion by sharing a sweet message with her fans and many others.
Given the ambiguity surrounding her status on the daytime talk show, it’s no surprise that Carrie Ann Inaba chose to leave. According to Deadline, Inaba announced her initial hiatus to focus on her mental and physical well-being. Now, following her official departure from the talk show, the Dancing with the Stars judge has shouted out those who've been a part of the journey:
I wanna announced that today The Talk, CBS and I have mutually agreed to part ways. I want to say I’m filled with gratitude for this experience and this chapter of my life that has been The Talk. I’ve made life-long friends. I’ve had incredible experiences and I’ve had wonderful discussions that helped me evolve as a human being. And it’s been an honor to be a part of your lives and to have a voice, and I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart not only to my fellow co-hosts both past and present but also to hose behind the scenes whom I love so deeply and I’m so grateful. And I’m grateful for all of you. I’m excited for all that’s to come. So, with love and gratitude and respect, I wish you guys the best to a great season ahead. And to all of you who have supported me through this time, thank you so much [and] it’s been amazing. And I’ll see you very soon.
After thanking her co-hosts, crew and fans for being patient with her, Carrie Ann Inaba chose to thank former ViacomCBS head Les Moonves and Talk executive producer and former co-host Sara Gilbert on her Instagram. To see Inaba’s full loving message to The Talk and her fans, check out her Instagram post below:
Carrie Ann Inaba’s departure announcement was met with messages of love and support. Following her announcement, The Talk producers Heather Gray and Kristin Matthews released a statement about Inaba’s departure, per Deadline. The daytime producers spoke glowingly about the choreographer, saying:
Carrie Ann’s authenticity and openness created a special connection and relationship with our audience. We will always be grateful for her contributions here at The Talk over the last 3 seasons. Her warmth, wisdom and vulnerability are just a few of her many admirable traits that will be missed. We wish her much success and good health going forward.
Thankfully, Carrie Ann Inaba’s departure wasn’t as dramatic as Sharon Osbourne or emotional as Eve’s. Of course, now, The Talk will have to fill Inaba’s seat with a series of guest hosts until the show finds her replacement, and viewers will have to wait until September to see who the guest hosts will be. Fortunately, fan won't miss Inaba for too long as she will return for Dancing with the Stars Season 30, which premieres in September on ABC.
