Nischelle Turner is making history as the first Black woman to anchor Entertainment Tonight. Preceded by Mary Hart (1982-2011) and Nancy O’Dell (2011-2019), Turner will take on the mantle as just the third woman in the history of the show to co-host.
Turner has been a correspondent and weekend host for Entertainment Tonight since 2014, earning four Daytime Emmys.
In an interview with Variety, Turner who has been a journalist for more than 20 years, stated “It means everything to me. 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. I would be representing an underserved group of people who are finally getting a moment in the spotlight — and a well-deserved moment.”
Touching on becoming the third woman to co-host, Turner stated, “I do feel like that’s rarefied air in television, especially news magazines to stand with those women. I’ve looked at their careers for my whole career; I’ve taken bits and pieces from their style.”
Co-hosting with Kevin Frazier will be another historical-making moment as the two will be the first Black duo to host Entertainment Tonight in a full-time capacity together
Turner added, “If I’m being honest, 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.’”
