Former “Today” show co-host Ann Curry spoke out about the sexual misconduct allegations made against Matt Lauer as she appeared on Wednesday’s “CBS This Morning”.
The 61-year-old, who left NBC in 2015, admitted she “wasn’t surprised” by the claims that resulted in Lauer, 60, losing his job back in November.
Curry explained, of her former co-host: “[I’m] trying not to hurt people. I know what it’s like to be publicly humiliated… and I don’t want to cause that kind of pain to somebody else.
“But because you’re asking me a very direct question: I would be surprised if many women did not understand that there was a climate of verbal harassment [at NBC’s “Today”] that existed. I’d think it would be surprising if someone said they didn’t see that.”
Presenter Gayle King, who chatted with Curry alongside Norah O’Donnell and John Dickerson, also asked whether or not Curry thought her “Today” departure was in some way orchestrated by Lauer.
Curry, who left the American talk show in 2012, replied: “You should ask someone else. I’m not the one to ask about that.”
RELATED: Hoda Kotb Replaces Matt Lauer, Confirmed As New Co-Anchor Of ‘Today’ Show
“You’re the only one to ask,” King then insisted, as Curry went on: “No, no, because I don’t know what was all behind it. I do know it hurt like hell, it wasn’t a fun moment, I learned a great deal about myself. I’ve really at this point let it go. I’ve just let it go. It’s been years and I want to really move on from that. At this point I’m thinking hakuna matata.”
Curry’s comments come as the “Today” team continue to battle through one of the toughest times in the show’s 67-year history.
It was revealed earlier this month that Hoda Kotb, 53, had been confirmed as Lauer’s replacement, serving as the new co-anchor alongside Savannah Guthrie, 46.
