According to Page Six, “The Talk” has been looking for a new male host to replace Carrie Ann Inaba, and former NFL player Akbar Gbajabiamila has accepted the position.
Gbajabiamila told the Hollywood Reporter, “It is an absolute honor to be joining ‘The Talk’ as a host. I am so excited for this new generation of such a long-standing establishment.”
He added, “To be a part of this diverse group is truly a dream and a new statement for ‘The Talk.’ In a world as divided as ours, I look forward to showing up as my fun and authentic self every day and advocating for conversation over confrontation.”
Elaine Welteroth, who has been with the contentious chat show for less than a year, announced her departure earlier this week.
Meanwhile, sources told us that Inaba couldn’t stand the situation any longer, and she announced her departure last month. At the time, sources told us that “The Talk” was looking for a male athlete or comedian to take her place.
Gbajabiamila, 42, will join Sheryl Underwood, Amanda Kloots, and Jerry O’Connell, hired earlier this year to replace Sharon Osbourne after the show’s infamous race row episode drove her out.
Executive producer and showrunner Heather Gray told THR, “It’s a new day in the daytime for season 12 of ‘The Talk,’ and we are thrilled to welcome Akbar to the family. His engaging personality, openness, and quick wit really impressed us when he appeared as a guest co-host last season.”
Lost for words.. 🙏🏾@TheTalkCBS #thetalk #Grateful pic.twitter.com/vYd01HUecZ
— Akbar Gbajabiamila (@Akbar_Gbaja) September 2, 2021
Praise God for this exciting news. It is an absolute honor to be joining @TheTalkCBS as a co-host! I am so excited for this new generation of such a hallmark establishment in daytime television. To be a part of this diverse group, is truly a dream & a new statement for this show. pic.twitter.com/VJ8JGE1VAt
— Akbar Gbajabiamila (@Akbar_Gbaja) September 2, 2021
