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Former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson Subject of New Movie. More on Lawsuit Against Roger Ailes
Updated : Feb 22, 2021, First Published Aug 10, 2018 Priscilla Matthews
Gretchen Carlson is one of the most successful news anchors and a tireless advocate for workplace equality and women's empowerment in America. Well-recognized for her work in one of the highest rated shows, Fox & Friends, Gretchen is an epitome of "beauty and brain". She is the winner of Miss America 1989 and is the author of New York Times' best selling books, Be Fierce and Getting Real.
A former beauty queen and key figure of the media world, there are more chapters to her story. Today, we have come up with the inside details of her influential story.
Behind the Scenes Story of her Fox News Exit
Carlson joined Fox News in 2006 and co-hosted the hit show, Fox & Friends, with Brian Kilmeade and Steve Doocy, until 2013. She then hosted her own show, The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson, from 2013 until her contract expired on June 23, 2016.
As soon as she departed from the network on July 6, she sent shock waves through the media world claiming that her termination came after she rebuffed the then-chairman and CEO Roger Ailes's sexual advances. She came forward filing a lawsuit against him and the network on the same day of her exit.
She knew that many women had been enduring sexual assaults from their employers and she thought that she can inspire them to stand against such injustice. The suit transfixed the world of television news, in which Ailes stood as a dominant media personality and Fox News as a successful cable news network. Later, more women, including Laurie Dhue, Juliet Huddy, Andrea Tantaros and one of the network's biggest stars, Megyn Kelly, stepped forward accusing Ailes of sexual misconduct.
On July 21, 2016, Roger, who led Fox News for two decades, was forced to resign following the massive backlash. That was an ignoble end!
The case was reportedly settled with $20 million on September 6, 2016, along with 21st Century Fox's apology, which read
We sincerely regret and apologize for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect and dignity that she and all of our colleagues deserve.
Carlson became a role model to many and the number of women speaking up continued to grow. Other Fox journalists, including Tamara N. Holder and Julie Roginsky, who suffered assault at the hands of the network's mainstay, shared their stories to the world.
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The battle of Carlson with the toxic culture of Fox News moved many people. Now, the story is all set to pop up on the silver screen. Annapurna Pictures is coming up with a film about the late disgraced media mogul, Roger Ailes and the women who were instrumental in his downfall.
The Oscar-winning actress, Nicole Kidman is in talks to be cast as Carlson's character in the movie. She will join Mad Max: Fury Road actress Charlize Theron who will appear as the network's former host, Megyn Kelly. Theron is also one of the producers of the movie.
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Charles Randolph is penning the script, and Ray Roach is directing the movie. We will also be witnessing a strong presence of Carlson as the narrator. Hopefully, the film will inspire more and more women to take their stand against sexual predators.
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Her Life and Career Details
Now, let's have a brief look at Carlson's career and life.
Carlson started her TV career in Richmond, Virginia, and later worked in local networks in Texas and Ohio. She then worked at CBS for five years, where she co-anchored the Saturday edition of The Early Show. It was in 2005 that she joined FNC and served till 2016. As soon as her 11-year-long tenure at Fox ended, she paved the way for the #metoo movement with her historic 2016 sexual scandal complaint.
In recent years, Carlson has been holding ground to change the laws that provide security to the predators. Additionally, she is active in charitable organizations supporting women's rights. The profits from her first book, Be Fierce, goes to Carlson's Gift of Courage Fund, which contributes to other organizations working in women empowerment.
Carlson's challenging journey would have been tougher if she didn't have support of her family. She has been happily married to Casey Close, a sports agent and former professional baseball player, since October 4, 1997. They share two children, Christian Close and Kaia Close. The family of four currently resides in Greenwich, Connecticut.
What do you expect from the new movie based on the sex scandal at Fox News? Pour your thoughts in the comment section below.
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Carlson started her TV career in Richmond, Virginia and later worked in local networks in Texas and Ohio. She then worked at CBS for five years, where she co-anchored the Saturday edition of The Early Show. It was in 2005 that she joined FNC and served till 2016. As soon as her 11-year-long tenure at Fox ended, she paved the way for the #metoo movement with her historic 2016 sexual scandal complaint.
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