NEWSDid Carrie Ann Inaba Actually Quit 'The Talk' Over Secret War With Sheryl Underwood? Remaining Host 'Thrilled' With Her Hiatus
With former cohost Sharon Osbourne and now Carrie Ann Inaba out at The Talk, it looks like Sheryl Underwood is one step closer to claiming the sought-after title of Boss Lady.
On Monday, April 26, Inaba announced she was taking a leave of absence from the talk show after missing two weeks due to side effects from her various autoimmune conditions.
“Hi everyone, so I wanted to let you know personally that I have decided to take a leave of absence from The Talk to focus on my well-being," the brunette beauty shared via Instagram. "I know you guys understand, health is the most important thing."
Inaba concluded: "So, I appreciate your support, I appreciate the love and support from The Talk family, and I hope to be back soon. Take care and I’ll keep you updated. Thank you."
Despite the Dancing with the Stars judge crediting her health as why she stepped back, a recent report — published just days before Inaba announced her departure — claimed she was "ready to quit" the show because of her secret feud with Underwood.
"Carrie Ann and Sheryl do not like each other," a source told The Sun. "They have faked it on air, but Sheryl has a hot and cold energy, and made Carrie Ann’s job very difficult."
Ever since Osbourne left the show last month (after accusations of racism plagued the host following her on-air feud with Underwood over Piers Morgan), Underwood has apparently taken over the leadership position — and Inaba was not happy with having to listen to the comedian, the insider alleged.
"Now that Sheryl has seized power of the show, the thought of being there makes [Carrie] physically sick," the source claimed, adding that the 53-year-old would rather leave on her own terms than get pushed out by the power-hungry Sheryl.
- Carrie Ann Inaba Taking Leave Of Absence From 'The Talk' To Focus On Her 'Well-Being' Following Sharon Osbourne Scandal
- Power Grab! 'The Talk' Cohosts Sheryl Underwood & Elaine Welteroth 'Coming After Each Other' To Fill Sharon Osbourne's 'Boss' Boots: Source
- 'The Talk' Reportedly Looking To Replace Carrie Ann Inaba With A Male Co-Host
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“[Carrie Ann] is a smart businesswoman and believes that her role is being diminished right in front of her eyes," the source added.
Whatever the reason is for Inaba's absence, Underwood is "thrilled Carrie Ann is gone for now," a source claimed, adding that the remaining host can now make her vision for the show a reality.
"Now Sheryl feels the show can assemble their dream team of cohosts to give The View a run for their money, instead of the slow walk The Talk has been doing," the insider told The Sun.
Underwood "loves moderating” the show and "being the focal point of every conversation." She also "didn't think Carrie Ann did a good job of leading the show," as she feels she is "much more capable and has a more dynamic personality for the job," the insider added.
However, Underwood may still have to fight Elaine Welteroth for the prominent title, as OK! reported they are both looking to take over Osbourne's position.
"Sheryl, who is now the show's longest-serving host, thinks she should be the boss. However, Elaine thinks she’s the voice of the new generation and wants to be the lead host," the OK! source claimed, adding: "It is unclear who is going to win, but what is clear is that anyone who thinks the drama is over now that Sharon is out is very much mistaken.”
The Talk lost their second host following Osbourne's exit after she came under fire for defending Morgan's freedom of speech on-air (he previously doubted Meghan Markle's claims made during her and Prince Harry's Oprah Winfrey interview last month).
After Underwood questioned how Osbourne could defend someone who "uttered" something "racist," CBS launched an internal investigation into the episode, putting the show on hiatus. Shortly after, a slew of racist allegations were made against Osbourne.
On March 26, CBS released a statement that the talk show had parted ways with Osbourne. The Talk returned on Monday, April 12, after a month-long hiatus with Underwood, Inaba, Welteroth and Amanda Kloots.
