Julie Chen Moonves said she questioned her husband, Leslie Moonves, about the 2018 sexual abuse allegations that resulted in his firing as CEO of CBS, disputing an earlier statement that she made the decision to leave The conversation after a decade as co-host.
Chen Moonves opened up about both topics, but also refused to discuss the “believe her” movement with Juju Chang Good morning America Monday. The Big Brother host appeared as part of a segment promoting her new memoir, But first God, in which she describes how she has “found God” over the past five years. It’s an experience she says changed her from a “self-absorbed, career-oriented, vain, gossipy, fun to be around, but probably quite a superficial person.”
During the conversation, Chen Moonves claims that despite her statement announcing her departure The conversation in 2018, as a move of her own, her departure was not on her own terms.
At the time, she said in a recorded segment: “I’ve been there The conversation since the day it started nine years ago. And the cast, crew and staff have become family to me over the years. But right now I need to spend more time at home with my husband and our son, so I decided to leave The conversation.”
But while you’re talking GMAChen Moonves reversed course and stated that she “never disclosed” that she was asked to leave the show until her memoir. “That was a difficult time. I felt stabbed in the back. That was me, you know?” she said.
Chen Moonves added that she had reconciled, but “I don’t know if I could have reconciled if I hadn’t had God in my life.”
Chen’s exit The conversation followed an exposé from 2018 The New Yorker detailing allegations of sexual misconduct against Moonves, including claims of violent touching or kissing, physical intimidation and threats to derail careers.
An internal investigation found the allegations to be substantiated and the former CEO was denied dismissal, with Moonves and then-ViacomCBS settling their arbitration over his dismissal.
In 2022, Moonves and Paramount Global also agreed to pay more than $9 million to shareholders in a deal with the New York State Attorney General over sexual misconduct claims against Moonves.
At the time of the initial allegations, Chen Moonves issued a statement on social media, writing that she has known her husband for decades. “Leslie is a good man and loving father, a devoted husband and an inspiring business leader,” she said. “He has always been a kind, decent and moral person. I fully support my husband and stand behind him.”
While you’re talking to GMAChen Moonves was asked if she had questioned her husband about the allegations. “That’s not what we want to talk about here,” she told Chang. “But of course, yes. I know my husband. You know? I know my husband.”
The Big Brother The host did address a section of her memoir in which she described the personal difficulties surrounding telling their son about the allegations. “I told him there were reports that were false about our family, and that I was keeping it simple,” she recalls. “I said, ‘So if you ever hear or read anything, come to us first. You know this family. You know who we are. And let no one shake that off. ”
Chen Moovnes also declined to directly address her stance on the “believe her” movement that followed the wave of #MeToo allegations starting in 2017, including those against her husband Leslie.
“Well, I think this is getting out of line But first God,” she said. “I think people – we all go through hard times in this world, in our lives. Mine aren’t over just because I found Christ. I think we need to keep our focus on him.”
A CBS representative directed The Hollywood Reporter to representatives The conversationwhich has not been responded to THR‘s request for comment.
