Ann Curry ‘Not Surprised’ by Matt Lauer Accusations

Former “Today” host Ann Curry opened up about her experience working for the show from 2011-2012.

In a widely anticipated interview on ‘CBS This Morning” Curry told the world that she was not surprise by the allegations of sexual misconduct that ended the career of the show’s longtime host, Matt Lauer.

“I can tell you that I am not surprised by the allegations,” she said to CBS hosts Gayle King, Noah O’Donnell and John Dickerson. “I would be surprised if many women did not understand that there was a climate of verbal harassment that existed. I think it would be surprising if someone said they didn’t see that.”

“Verbal sexual harassment was pervasive,” she added.

Also Read: Katie Couric Breaks Silence on Matt Lauer: 'This Was Not the Matt We Knew'

Curry, who was officially on set to promote her new PBS series “We’ll Meet Again,” said that she didn’t want to get into any specifics on sexual misconduct or add more to the Lauer pile-on beyond that.

“I am walking down that road trying not to hurt people,” she said. “I know what it’s like to be publicly humiliated.”

Indeed, the line is likely a reference to Curry’s own troubled tenure with Lauer and the “Today” show. After coming in to replace Meredith Vieira on the show, things swiftly went south. The pair had little chemistry and reports at the time said Lauer very publicly complained about her off-set at NBC.

She departed the show after less than a year and left NBC entirely in 2015.

On set at CBS, Gayle King asked about her last emotional show with Lauer.

“I don’t want to upset you further,” said King.

“I’m not going to start crying.” said Curry, laughing it off. “I’ve learned a great deal about myself. I’ve just let it go. It’s been years and I sort of want to move on from that. At this point I am thinking Hakuna matata.”

Curry also spoke approvingly of the broader #MeToo movement and about how she herself had been sexually harassed numerous times in her career.

“I don’t know a single woman who has not endured some form of sexual harassment and many women have endured workplace sexual harassment,” she said. “It has happened to me in multiple jobs.”

You can watch the interview above.

7 Times Matt Lauer Came Under Fire, From Sexual Harassment Accusations to Ann Curry Ousting (Photos)

Matt Lauer was terminated by NBC News on Wednesday after the company received a complaint of sexual harassment against him. But that's not the first time the longtime "Today" host found himself in hot water.
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Rumors of extramarital affairs dogged Lauer during his tenure on "Today," with tabloid reports linking him to other members of the show, including Natalie Morales. In 2010, NBC News finally responded to the allegations, calling them "completely inaccurate and unfounded" and "reckless and harmful to the Lauer family."
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Ann Curry was ousted from "Today" in 2012 as the show was losing ground to ABC's "Good Morning America," and after she issued a tearful on-air goodbye Lauer was widely viewed as the reason for her departure. New York Magazine later reported that the two had a tense off-camera relationship, and though Curry took the fall, Lauer was more to blame for the show's declining viewership.
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In 2012, Lauer was criticized for asking Anne Hathaway about an upskirt photo taken at the premiere of "Les Miserables" and attempting to make a joke of the situation by saying he'd "seen a lot of you lately." Hathaway was praised for how she handled the situation, gently shutting down the line of questioning by saying it was unfortunate that the culture "commodifies sexuality of unwilling participants."
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In 2006, Lauer's wife Annette Roque filed for divorce, alleging that she suffered "cruel and inhumane" treatment at the hands of her controlling husband. The two eventually reconciled and Roque, who was pregnant at the time, withdrew the paperwork, but the documents were obtained and published by the National Enquirer in 2014.
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Lauer's former co-anchor Katie Couric joked about his behavior in a 2012 interview with Andy Cohen. "He pinches me on the ass a lot," she said, calling it Lauer's most annoying habit. Video of the interview, which was handled jokingly at the time, was recirculated following his termination for a sexual misconduct allegation.
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Lauer moderated a pair of NBC News town halls during the 2016 presidential election, which were widely slammed for the way he questioned the two candidates. Lauer repeatedly asked Hillary Clinton about her email server and rushed past other, more concrete policy issues. Meanwhile, he was perceived to have gone much softer on Donald Trump, failing to press the then-nominee on repeated falsehoods.
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Lauer was finally axed by NBC News and removed from "Today" in 2017, after the company received a "detailed complaint" from a colleague accusing him of inappropriate sexual behavior.
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Morning show host was axed following a sexual misconduct allegation by an NBC News colleague

Matt Lauer was terminated by NBC News on Wednesday after the company received a complaint of sexual harassment against him. But that's not the first time the longtime "Today" host found himself in hot water.

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7 Times Matt Lauer Came Under Fire, From Sexual Harassment Accusations to Ann Curry Ousting (Photos)

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