“Entertainment Tonight” has announced that Nischelle Turner will become the first Black woman to co-host the show in its 40-season-long history.
The announcement was made on Instagram with the show saying, “Best news ever, @nischelleturner has been named co-host of Entertainment Tonight and we’re so lucky to have her.”
The previous co-host Nancy O’Dell stepped down from the anchor position in 2019 to spend more time with her daughter. The vacancy was left open for a year, but now, Turner will host alongside Kevin Frazier. This will be the first time the show will have two Black anchors.
“Make no mistake about it: I believe and have always believed that I was the best person for the job, but it was never lost on me that it was also bigger than just me,” the new co-host told Variety. “I would be representing an underserved group of people who are finally getting a moment in the spotlight — and a well-deserved moment.”
“There was always a thought in the back of my head, ‘Is the audience in America ready for two Black hosts up there together?’ and the answer that America gave us was ‘Yes,’ Turner said.
Turner has been with the entertainment news magazine for nearly seven years.
“Nischelle can do it all. She can go from a heartfelt conversation with Oscar winner Viola Davis about the impact of Cicely Tyson to singing karaoke on a balcony with Jimmy Fallon,” the show’s executive producer Erin Johnson said in a press release Thursday. “She is warm, thoughtful, and full of energy.”
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