Overlooked in the news about Julie Chen’s departure from The Talk was Chen’s choice to replace her.
The long time host made her resignation from the program official with a video taped message aired on the show last week.
She then gave a shout out to Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba who has filled in as host on The Talk 26 times since the show debut in 2010.
“Carrie Ann,” Chen said, “I don’t know, but in my opinion, you look awful good sitting in that chair my Asian sister. I’m just saying.”
Speaking on Steve Harvey, Inaba made it known joining The Talk would be something she would love.
“When she made the video announcement, I was shocked. I was so just shocked that she even mentioned my name and, of course, who wouldn’t want to take an opportunity like that,” to applause from Harvey’s audience. “But I mean, I’m still kind of in shock and honored that she even supported her ‘Asian sister.’ Not a lot of women would do that, but she showed me what’s she’s made of.She’s like ‘I support you my Asian sister as she’s going through so much. I have respect”
Harvey echoed her sentiments and said that “television has to recognize the diversity of the world and reflect that.”
According to Your Tango, during one of her prior appearance on The Talk, Inaba opened up about being molested by a martial arts teacher. This year she also co-hosted the Miss America pageant on ABC. She is also a former Fly Girl on the show, In Living Color.
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