Natalie Morales is leaving her position as host of NBC’s “Today” show and is expected to head to CBS to replace Sharon Osbourne on “The Talk.”
Osbourne left “The Talk” ”in March after defending Piers Morgan’s comments about doubting Meghan Markle’s mental health battle following an interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Morales reportedly sent an email Friday to NBC staff members to share the news of his departure from the network.
“How do you start giving thanks for 22 wonderful years?” He wrote in the email.
“I think back to my early days when I dedicated myself to working at WVIT in Hartford, CT and then took the huge, petrifying jump to MSNBC and, sadly, I won the gold tickets to the ‘Today Show’ and ‘Dateline’ – not in a million years did I imagine this when I dreamed of what I wanted to be when I grew up! “
Morales began working at NBC in the 1990s as a host for Hartford affiliate WVIT-TV. In 2002, he was serving dual roles at MSNBC as host and correspondent.
She landed a position as a national correspondent on “Today” in 2006 and replaced Ann Curry in 2011 as the host of the show. In 2016, she became the West Coast anchor on “Today.”
“This first half of my life has been filled with adventures, challenges, travels, too many calls to wake up early, and yes, opportunities to witness the unfolding of the story and tell inspiring and shocking stories that will always be on the highlight reel of my mind, “Morales said in the email to employees.
Speaking of that reel: I watched my family grow up alongside many of their own children, and as my oldest son prepares to spread his wings and head to college soon, I also feel like the time is right (before the second half of my life) to spread my own wings and pursue a new adventure.
If Morales lands on “The Talk,” he will join current co-hosts Sheryl Underwood, Amanda Kloots, Jerry O’Connell and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila.
Morales is expected to continue appearing on “Dateline” for the remainder of the year.
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