Tamron Hall is getting real about her difficult decision to leave “The Today Show” and NBC after the network replaced her with Megyn Kelly. During a candid interview, the talk show host revealed why she left Studio 1A at Rockefeller Center in her rearview mirror, despite being offered a multimillion-dollar contract to stay with the team in a different capacity.
Speaking with Scott Evans during his famous “House Guest” series, Hall, who began co-hosting “The Today Show” in 2014, told the content creator that she learned she was being axed from the mainstage show just moments before she was set to go live.
According to Hall, 55, she received a text message from her then-agent with details of the offer. Hall said she didn’t have much time to process what was happening, but knew she had to check in with her mother for advice. “That’s the first person I text. I text my mom, and I said, ‘It’s done,’” Hall said before revealing she texted her agent back and said, “I’ll pass.”
Hall shared that she was being offered $2 million a year to take on a lesser role with the network. Her co-hosting slot was being given to Megyn Kelly.
Tamron Hall Says ‘All Money’s Not Good Money’
When Hall revealed that she had turned down a multimillion-dollar contract with NBC, the audience at Evans’ live event let out audible gasps. However, Hall made it clear that she didn’t feel she was missing out on anything.
“All money’s not good money. It’s not,” she said.
Hall went on to say that she felt even more encouraged to walk away from the show after receiving a message from her mom.
“She said to me, ‘I am so proud of you because do you know how many times we’ve had to get off the sidewalk for someone else to walk?” Hall revealed.
Hall explained that her decision to leave was also about showing other professionals who look like her that they are worth more than they may believe.
“And that day is why I turned it down,” she said. “I’m not trying to sound like I’m a sacrifice or anything … and I understood that that did not define me.”
Sources Said Tamron Hall Was ‘Furious’ About Losing Her Slot To Kelly
At the time, a source spoke with PEOPLE about Hall’s surprising exit from the long-running daytime series, and claimed Hall was allegedly “furious” and “hurt” that she was being replaced by Kelly, adding that the esteemed journalist saw the move as a “demotion.”
The insider went on to say that Hall refused to “settle for sitting on the sidelines” during the company shakeup. “She basically said thank you, but no thank you,” they added.
Kelly’s “TODAY” show slot began airing in September 2017; however, 12 months later, it was pulled from the air after the host received intense backlash for making comments many deemed inappropriate.
While speaking about higher education institutions’ attempts at stopping their students from wearing costumes some may find offensive, Kelly offered her perspective.
“But what is racist? Because truly, you do get in trouble if you are a white person who puts on blackface at Halloween or a black person who puts on whiteface for Halloween. Back when I was a kid, that was okay as long as you were dressing up as like a character,” she said.
Kelly’s NBC colleagues, including Al Roker, slammed her a day later, saying she owed people a “bigger apology” for demeaning a race. “… And that’s what the big problem is. … No good comes from it. It’s just not right,” he said.
Craig Melvin said something similar, calling Kelly’s comments “stupid” and “indefensible.”
Kelly’s Show Was Canceled
Days after Kelly’s comments sparked an online firestorm, NBC confirmed it had canceled her show. “Megyn Kelly Today is not returning. Next week, the 9 a.m. hour will be hosted by other Today co-anchors,” their statement read.
Kelly also issued an on-air apology, saying she realized she was “wrong” before saying “I am sorry.”
“I learned that given the history of blackface being used in awful ways by racists in this country, it is not okay for that to be part of any costume, Halloween or otherwise,” she said.
While Kelly said that she doesn’t consider herself to be a “PC” person, she said she values the power of sensitivity, especially when it comes to “our history … on race and ethnicity.”
“This past year has been painful for many people of color. The country feels so divided, and I have no wish to add to that pain and offense. I believe this is a time for more understanding, more love, more sensitivity, and honor. I want to be part of that. Thank you for listening and for helping me listen too,” she added.
