Shots. Fired.
As we reported, Catt Sadler shocked fans when she announced she was leaving E! after learning cohost Jason Kennedy “was making double my salary and has been for several years.” To add insult to injury, during negotiations, the network reportedly refused to give her equal pay.
Sadly, not everyone is #TeamCatt in this drama.
Related: Jennifer Lawrence & Jessica Chastain Support Catt Sadler!
On Thursday, Kennedy’s wife Lauren Scruggs wrote a lengthy post on Instagram defending her husband and the network against claims of sexism. The model reveals:
“I believe in female empowerment and gender equality, but it’s heartbreaking that a network is being deemed sexist when that is simply not true. At one time my husband had a female co-anchor on E! News who made 3 times his salary. Women are paid accordingly on this network, and the difference in his salary versus hers did not affect Jason. He knows there are always more components to consider when determining one’s salary than gender alone.”
The fashion blogger then references an E! spokeswoman who told the New York Times that Sadler and Kennedy’s roles were not comparable.
According to Scruggs, Kennedy has been the permanent anchor of E! News for the past two years, while “a permanent co-host has never been named since the last one left 6 months ago.”
Even if there was an issue with “gender inequality,” Scruggs says her husband would absolutely not stand for it.
“If he ever heard that gender inequality was occurring at his workplace, he would take action. Instead, it’s the contrary, and the numerous phone calls we have had these past two days from both current and former female employees at E! only support what he has seen in his time there. These women have assured us that they never felt gender inequality was at play at any time.”
Ultimately, the fashion journalist wants to clear Kennedy’s name amid the mudslinging.
“Jason is the most tender-hearted & respectful person and it’s so sad to see him unfairly publicly shamed. His name has been dragged through the mud regarding nothing he did, except be a great friend & colleague. It absolutely breaks my heart to watch, & it is devastating & frustrating to see how this all played out. I will always stand on truth, & I cannot stand by and be silent when the foundation of a story that affects my family is not based on that. I am so proud of & inspired by my husband for constantly being prayerful, surrounding himself w/ wisdom, & being the definition of a class act even in unfortunate circumstances.”
It’s important to note that Sadler has only said nice things about Kennedy, and even told her followers to stop “vilifying him” in a recent Instagram post. She wrote:
“If I had one ask, it is to please not place blame on my friend Jason Kennedy. He has done right by me in every respect. It hurts me deeply to see that some are vilifying him. I repeat, his hands are tied on this matter and if you’re angry – rightfully so – direct that emotion at the decision makers who failed us, not him.”
Read Lauren’s full rant (below):
I have always said that there are negatives and positives to social media, and these last 48 hours have proven that to be true. I believe in female empowerment and gender equality, but it├óΓé¼Γäós heartbreaking that a network is being deemed sexist when that is simply not true. At one time my husband had a female co-anchor on E! News who made 3 times his salary. Women are paid accordingly on this network, and the difference in his salary versus hers did not affect Jason. He knows there are always more components to consider when determining one├óΓé¼Γäós salary than gender alone. _ In a New York Times article yesterday, an E! spokeswoman confirmed quote “Ms. Sadler├óΓé¼Γäós and Mr. Kennedy├óΓé¼Γäós roles were not comparable.” Since Jason was named the permanent anchor of E! News over two years ago, he has had various co-hosts that rotate throughout the week. A permanent co-host has never been named since the last one left 6 months ago. _ As you know, there are two sides to every story. I am posting this to tell the other side, which everyone deserves to know before jumping to conclusions about a place he has called home for the last twelve years. If he ever heard that gender inequality was occurring at his workplace, he would take action. Instead, it├óΓé¼Γäós the contrary, and the numerous phone calls we have had these past two days from both current and former female employees at E! only support what he has seen in his time there. These women have assured us that they never felt gender inequality was at play at any time. _ Jason is the most tender-hearted & respectful person and it├óΓé¼Γäós so sad to see him unfairly publicly shamed. His name has been dragged through the mud regarding nothing he did, except be a great friend & colleague. It absolutely breaks my heart to watch, & it is devastating & frustrating to see how this all played out. I will always stand on truth, & I cannot stand by and be silent when the foundation of a story that affects my family is not based on that. I am so proud of & inspired by my husband for constantly being prayerful, surrounding himself w/ wisdom, & being the definition of a class act even in unfortunate circumstances. Love u, Jase, I am honored to be by your side.A post shared by Lauren Scruggs Kennedy (@laurenscruggs) on Dec 21, 2017 at 4:32pm PST
[Image via Lauren Scruggs/Catt Sadler/Instagram.]
Related Posts
