Ann Curry Responds To Matt Lauer's Firing After Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Former “Today” show host Ann Curry responded to Matt Lauer’s firing Wednesday after Lauer was accused of sexual misconduct. Curry said she was still working through the news.

"I'm really still processing it," Curry told People magazine.

Curry went on to discuss the pervasiveness of sexual harassment against women in a multitude of industries.

"I admire the women who have been willing to speak up both anonymously and on the record," she said. "Those women need to keep their jobs, and all women need to be able to work, to be able to thrive, without fear. This kind of behavior exists across industries, and it is so long overdue for it to stop. This is a moment when we all need to be a beacon of light for those women, for all women, and for ourselves.”

Curry’s name quickly appeared on social media Wednesday after Lauer was fired from NBC News. The company announced his termination following what it called a “detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.”

Curry herself was fired from NBC News in 2012 when she was a co-host on the “Today” show. Curry had been selected as a replacement for Meredith Viera. Upon her dismissal, however, rumors emerged that Lauer was connected to the ousting. Lauer reportedly did not like working with Curry and she was forced out as a result, according to a 2013 report in the New York Times magazine.

“I can’t believe I am sitting next to this woman,” Lauer reportedly said.

NBC News reportedly concocted a plan that if Lauer renewed his expiring contract, Curry would be fired. Savannah Guthrie was subsequently appointed in her place.

“This is not how I expected to leave this couch after 15 years,” she said during her final show. “For all of you who saw me as a groundbreaker, I’m sorry I couldn’t carry the ball over the finish line. But man, did I try.”

On Wednesday morning, Twitter users were quick to wonder how Curry was taking the news of Lauer’s ousting. Some users posted gifs of how they thought Curry was reacting to the situation. Others called the situation “karma” for Curry’s firing.

“Somewhere Ann Curry is saying, ‘If you sit by the river long enough, you will see the body of your enemy float by’,” one person wrote.

“Harassment and abuse is always about power,” another person said. “Don’t forget what Matt Lauer did to Ann Curry.”