Jason Kennedy’s, 36, wife, Lauren Scruggs Kennedy, 29, wrote a statement on her website Thursday defending her husband following the social media backlash after his ex co-host Catt Sadler, 43, left the network.
Sadler confirmed her departure from E! on Tuesday after learning that Jason, her co-host, ‘was making close to double my salary for the past several years.’
In Lauren’s lengthy post she said is heartbroken ‘that a network (that truly cares about its employees) is being deemed as sexist when that is simply not true.’
Jason Kennedy’s (right), 36, wife, Lauren Scruggs Kennedy, 29 (left), wrote a statement on her website Thursday defending her husband following the social media backlash after his ex co-host Catt Sadler, 43, left the network
Catt Sadler (right) confirmed her departure from E! on Tuesday after learning that Jason (left), her co-host, ‘was making close to double my salary for the past several years’ (the two are pictured here at NBC Universal’s Press Junket in November in LA)
She claims that every woman Jason has ever worked alongside has ‘never felt gender inequality was at play at any time.’
‘Jason is the most tender-hearted and respectful person and it’s so sad to see him unfairly publicly shamed,’ she continued.
The news anchor received a fair share of backlash on Twitter following Sadler’s decision to leave the network.
In her post Lauren (left) claims that every woman Jason (right) has ever worked alongside has ‘never felt gender inequality was at play at any time’
Lauren tweeted about her statement urging her fans to stop blaming Jason
Jason tweeted ‘I love you Lo’ and shared her website post with his fans on Twitter
One person tweeted ‘Did @JasonKennedy1 stand up for @IAmCattSadler and demand she be paid the same as him? I would’ve never expected this from @e_entertainment Not cool. #KnowYourWorth #WhoRunTheWorld #Girls.’
Another social media user said ‘If you really cared, you would stand by her. You are not who I thought you were. #teamsadler.’
Lauren said her husband ‘has been dragged through the mud regarding nothing he did,’ following a bevy of tweets blasting and blaming the TV anchor.
Jason received a lot of backlash on Twitter following Sadler’s decision to leave E!
Many Twitter users believe that Jason didn’t stand up for his female co-host
She continued to defend her husband claiming ‘there are two sides to every story. I am posting this to tell the other side.’
Meanwhile Sadler wrote on her website Thursday that she is overwhelmed by the ‘support I’ve been receiving the last 24 hours.’
‘Leaving E! was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, but your messages and heartfelt comments are comforting and affirm for me that I made the right decision,’ she wrote.
One individual on Twitter blasted Jason and said he was part of the problem for women being harassed and underpaid
Sadler, who has not blamed Jason whatsoever in this scenario, urged her fans ‘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,’ she said.
The news of Sadler’s departure first broke when she took to her website to explain that there had been a significant pay disparity between her and her male co-host.
‘An executive from E! brought something alarming to my attention – namely, that there was a massive disparity in pay between my similarly situated male co-host and myself,’ she began.
‘More recently, when E! reached out to renew and extend my deal, I learned that he wasn’t just making a little more than I was. In fact, he was making close to double my salary for the past several years,’ she continued.
The single mother-of-two revealed she owed it to her fans and the people who watch her every day to explain exactly why she decided to leave.
Sadler is pictured here with her long-time friend Jason Kennedy at E! She posted this picture of the two of them on Instagram to wish him a happy birthday last week
‘It was important for me to explain my departure. I did not want to disappear from your television screens and have you wonder why. Thank you for your precious time all these years. Thank you for the support. Thank you for the constant exchange of ideas on social media as well. This chapter is over and a new one begins,’ she explained.
The famous broadcaster was clearly overwhelmed by all the support from her fans as she wrote another tweet that said ‘You’ve all got me crying like a baby.’
‘I’m reading every single message. I will respond to them all after I make it through this difficult day. I love you so much and your words are providing me so much comfort. xx See you on @enews later this eve with my friend @JasonKennedy1.’
The news anchor also revealed in a several tweets to her fans that she was leaving the network
The single mother-of-two thanked her fans for all their support and asked them to tune in one last time
A second message to her fans wasn’t enough, so the brunette host decided to write a third. ‘My gratitude runs so deep. My thank you to you the viewers on @enews tonight. I hope you’ll watch my farewell at 7 and 10:30p with @JasonKennedy1 xx’
Kennedy has publicly acknowledged his sadness at Sadler’s departure. He shared a video with her on Twitter on Tuesday and wrote ‘Sending @IAmCattSadler off with lots of love and memories tonight at 7 & 10:30 @enews.’
E! released the following statement to US Weekly on Tuesday: ‘E! compensates employees fairly and appropriately based on their roles, regardless of gender. We appreciate Catt Sadler’s many contributions at E! News and wish her all the best following her decision to leave the network.’
Sadler was very emotional when she tweeted about her departure on social media