The Real Reason Jason Kennedy Is Leaving E!
Say it ain't so! E! News star Jason Kennedy is leaving the network after 15 years of hosting and chatting with the hottest celebrities, per Page Six. The news, which broke in early March 2021, comes just one month after E!'s parent company, NBC, laid off the network's entire In The Room staff. The short-lived show was canceled following the network's financial hardships amid the coronavirus pandemic. The same week the In The Room staff was cut, "it was announced that 50 people were cut within NBCUniversal's entertainment division," per Page Six. Additionally, Pop of the Morning and the network's long-running nightly show E! News were canceled amid pandemic-related struggles.
Kennedy first started reporting and anchoring for E! in 2005, according to Page Six. By 2007, the reporter started appearing on E! News and E!'s Live From the Red Carpet, and has since developed a reputation as the go-to guy for entertainment news — aside from Ryan Seacrest, of course. Kennedy ultimately worked his way up to co-hosting E! News with Giuliana Rancic. After making a name for himself with the network for over a decade, Kennedy is ready to embark on his next chapter.
Keep scrolling to find out why the host is leaving E! behind.
The pandemic influenced Jason Kennedy's decision to leave E!
It seems like the coronavirus pandemic hit Jason Kennedy as hard as it hit his beloved network. Following the 2020 and 2021 cancelations, the entertainment news anchor said the industry hasn't been the same since. "I've had the time of my life at E!. Most recently, I loved being the host of 'In the Room,' but COVID made it impossible to capture interviews with celebrities in a more personal setting, so I have decided to pursue new opportunities," Kennedy told Page Six in a statement about his departure.
"I'm leaving with a grateful and full heart thinking about my experience, and the lifelong friendships I've made along the way at E!," Kennedy added. "I have a slate of exciting projects that I've been working on and I can't wait to share with you soon."
Of course, Kennedy's fans were heartbroken by his decision to leave the network, but they can't wait to see what he does next. "I'm so sad Jason Kennedy is leaving E news and I grew up watching him," one person tweeted, while anotjer added, "You truly are the best Jason Kennedy! Excited to follow you to your next adventure." It looks like the sky is the limit for this entertainment news host!