“Entertainment Tonight” has named Nischelle Turner as the show’s next co-host, making her the first Black woman to anchor the program in its 41-season-long history.
“Best news ever,” the show announced on Instagram. “@nischelleturner has been named co-host of Entertainment Tonight and we’re so lucky to have her.”
After the previous co-host Nancy O’ Dell stepped away in 2019 to spend more time with her daughter, Turner will be filling in a gap left vacant for over a year. She will host the show alongside Kevin Frazier. This will be the first time the show has had two Black anchors at the helm.
The new co-host talked to Variety about her history-making moment.
“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,” she said. “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.
Nischelle Turner named first Black woman to co-host "Entertainment Tonight." (Photo: Entertainment Tonight)
Turner has been with the entertainment newsmagazine for almost seven years, after joining in 2014 as a correspondent.
“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.”
Turner will be taking on multiple roles as she co-hosts ET. She will also be hosting Secret Celebrity Renovation, a new show set to premiere in the summer. She will also continue to be a CNN contributor for several CNN shows.
Contributing: Cydney Henderson
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