What's Next For Matt Lauer?
Matt Lauer's time as the king of morning news is over. He was fired from the Today show in late November 2017 after more than 20 years anchoring the a.m. staple, and the details behind his dismissal are harrowing. Lauer was accused of nearly two decades worth of sexual misconduct, ranging from sending inappropriate messages to colleagues and underlings to coercing employees lower on the totem pole into sexual relationships to allegations of sexual assault.
Adding insult to injury is the fact that Lauer allegedly engaged in all of this behavior while he was married. He didn't even deny all of the accusations levied against him, saying in a statement: "There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions. To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this, I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC. Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly." He continued, "Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching and I'm committed to beginning that effort. It is now my full time job."
So, how has the disgraced anchor's life changed since making that statement?
He's going through an expensive divorce
Matt Lauer's sexual misconduct at work took its toll at home as well. In August 2018, Entertainment Tonight reported that the disgraced anchor's wife, Annette Roque, was poised to take home $20 million of Lauer's cash in their divorce settlement, and the pair agreed to joint custody of sons Jack and Thijs and daughter Romy. A source told Entertainment Tonight that Lauer "has a lot of guilt about how things went down and he wants to make sure Annette is taken care of."
Since getting the ball rolling on their divorce, the source claimed Roque and Lauer "seem happier and their family and friends are thrilled to see they are both moving forward." It seems like this split was a long time coming, regardless of the scandal. Radar Online reported that Roque had previously filed for divorce from Lauer in 2006, but she later rescinded the filing. Insiders also told People that Roque was "shopping for a divorce lawyer" in 2014. Roque and Lauer parted ways for good in September 2019, when they finalized their divorce.
Is Matt Lauer dating again?
Sources told Radar Online that the former Today host has been hooking up with a mysterious young blonde. An insider told the site, "He's sleeping with a young blonde in her 20s in the Hamptons. It's getting pretty serious. They're even planning a winter getaway to New Zealand when it gets cold on the east coast."
The insider added that Matt Lauer's ex-wife, Annette Roque, was actually happy that Lauer had a new lady in his life, despite the bitter circumstances surrounding their divorce. "Annette is thrilled he found a gal pal. She wants to be done with him. When Matt gets lonely he wants to get back together with her, and she doesn't want that at all ... The only two things Annette wants from Matt is her money and to tell him good riddance once and for all."
Matt Lauer has been unloading his pricey properties
Time estimated that Matt Lauer made a cool $100 million during his tenure at NBC, and it appears that since his ouster, he may be trying to adjust his lifestyle accordingly. The New York Post reported in September 2018 that he sold an Upper East Side apartment for $8 million, while Page Six reported that he parted ways with a Sag Harbor, N.Y. spot for $12.75 million, as well as one of his vehicles, a Range Rover.
Lauer also almost lost his $13 million New Zealand farm after the sexual misconduct scandal broke, thanks to a clause in the country that requires foreign residents who purchase property there to be "of good character" — and to allow a certain amount of public access to the property. An investigation eventually cleared him to keep the farm, which makes the world wonder whether "good character" is really just "good credit." In a post-firing interview with Radio New Zealand, Lauer addressed the land-rights scandal, claiming he was "an easy mark" because of the accusations against him, and that he was clearly being made an example of, since "this has not been done ever before with a pastoral lease holder or property owner without that person's consent."
Is Matt Lauer plotting a comeback with Megyn Kelly?
Is Matt Lauer networking with his former colleagues because he's staging a comeback? A source told Page Six in August 2018 that a cheery Lauer told a group of restaurant patrons who said they missed him, "Don't worry, I'll be back on TV." The same outlet also reported two months prior that Lauer was spotted dining with veteran Today producer Deborah Kosofsky. On top of that, a source told Radar Online that Lauer was planning to capitalize on some impending changes coming to NBC by pilfering staff from Today for a comeback project in an effort to exact revenge on everyone who ousted him. "Once [management changes at NBC News happen], Matt will have his chance to redeem himself on-air and have his revenge on those who looped him with the #MeToo era's worst scoundrels," and insider told the tab.
Sources also told Radar that since Megyn Kelly was fired from NBC, she's also reached out to Lauer about doing a new morning show together, in an effort to go head-to-head with the show that spurned them both. Kelly even remarked to Us Weekly of Lauer's future plans, "I know too much that others don't know."
Matt Lauer is getting advice from Katie Couric
One former Today colleague with whom Matt Lauer has remained particularly close is Katie Couric, who co-anchored with him from 1991 to 2006. A source told Radar Online, "They're a lot closer than people think. Matt's been putting in strategy calls to Katie and she's giving him tons of advice in both his personal life and career ... She's still got a soft spot for the guy and wants to see him make a comeback," the insider continued. "She's telling friends she believes he's truly sorry."
It's not too surprising, as Couric somewhat defended Lauer on The Wendy Williams Show in May 2018. "It's been a very painful time for a lot of people who worked with Matt, knew him, really care about him, and who never witnessed or experienced any of this behavior that is now obviously being talked about ... I can only talk about my personal experience and I was always treated respectfully and appropriately." She added, "A lot of stuff gets misreported and blown out of proportion."
Is Matt Lauer bonding with Bill O'Reilly?
While Matt Lauer certainly has a lot of time on his hands since he got fired from Today, he's not spending his freedom with his friends. A source told People that the former anchor is "keeping a low profile," adding, "He's been staying close to home and focusing all his energy on the kids. If he does go out, it's for them."
However, some insiders claim that Lauer has found a kindred spirit in another disgraced newsman accused of sexual harassment: Former Fox News personality Bill O'Reilly. "They've built a tight friendship and have bonded with one another since they've been fired. They talk daily," a source close to O'Reilly told Radar Online. The source also noted that both Lauer and O'Reilly are "still mad as hell [at being fired] ... they both think they got a raw deal."
Ann Curry may or may not be enjoying all this
In January 2018, Ann Curry, who Lauer allegedly got fired from Today in 2012 after serving as her co-anchor for just one year, spoke out about his scandal on CBS This Morning. "I'm trying not to hurt people. I know what it's like to be publicly humiliated. I never did anything wrong to be publicly humiliated, and I don't want to cause that kind of pain to somebody else," she said. "But I can say ... I would be surprised if many women did not understand that there was a climate of verbal harassment that existed [at NBC]. I think it would be surprising if someone said they didn't see that. Verbal sexual harassment was pervasive ... This is about power, a power imbalance where women are not valued as much as men."
While Curry was clearly diplomatic, she admitted on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that Lauer's firing may be "karma" and that she did giggle at memes and tweets about her reaction to Lauer's troubles.
Is Matt Lauer planning a tell-all interview with a former colleague?
Matt Lauer has kept a low profile since his firing from Today for inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace, but that may all be changing with a tell-all interview. Radar Online's Straight Shooter podcast reported that the former anchor enlisted former Today's Take co-host, Tamron Hall, to conduct to the sit-down. Lauer reportedly chose Hall — who was fired from Today to make room for Megyn Kelly — because they "both have an ax to grind."
"Matt is looking for someone to interview him in the best possible light, and Tamron is at the top of that list, plus she's an ex-colleague," the source said. "Considering the topic, Matt will be talking about; he must sit down with a woman."
His alleged reasoning for the interview? "At this point, the goal isn't to revive his career, it's to not lose his kids," the source explained. "The man has lost everything, all his has left is his children." Since Hall is a mother, the source says she will give the embattled newsman "a fair shot."
Matt Lauer: Social media star?
Although he hasn't appeared on television since 2017, Matt Lauer made a bunch of cameos in 2019 on Romy Lauer's TikTok videos. That's right, the disgraced Today anchor is now an inadvertent social media star in what the Los Angeles Times described as "full goofy-dad mode."
In the trio of short clips obtained by the publication, Matt dances to "Hot Shower" by Chance the Rapper, sings along with Romy to "Big Fun" from "Heathers: The Musical," and does Avengers villain Thanos' deadly snap. As expected, Romy's comment section was filled with users bringing up the allegations against her father. Per Yahoo!, Romy defended her father, telling one user that they were spreading "stories not facts."
In Sept. 2019, Al Roker spoke to USA Today about his former colleague and stated that Lauer's goal right now is "making sure his kids are doing well." We assume this is where the TikTok videos come into play. Connecting with the teens! "I wish him the best and them as well,” Roker continued. "It's a new school year, (and) everybody's getting settled in their school routine."
Matt Lauer is facing new allegations in Ronan Farrow's new book
Brooke Nevils, the NBC News employee whose sexual harassment complaint led to the firing of Lauer, says she was raped by the former anchor, according to investigative journalist Ronan Farrow's new book Catch and Kill. In excerpts from the book obtained by Variety, Nevils and Farrow allege graphic and horrific details of her encounter with Lauer, which Nevils says left her both physically and emotionally traumatized.
In response to the bombshell allegations, NBC News read the following statement on-air: "Matt Lauer's conduct was appalling, horrific and reprehensible, as we said at the time. That's why he was fired within 24 hours of us first learning of the complaint." Today co-host Savannah Guthrie was clearly emotional when addressing the new allegations, calling the news, "shocking and appalling."
In a letter penned on Oct. 9, 2019, Lauer categorically denied the allegations, calling his sexual encounter with Nevils a "completely consensual" extramarital affair (via Variety). Dismissing the claims as "part of a promotional effort to sell a book," Lauer wrote that Nevils' story "ignores the facts and defies common sense." He went even further, calling out other women for having sexual affairs with him, as well. "For two years, the women with whom I had extramarital relationships have abandoned shared responsibility, and instead, shielded themselves from blame behind false allegations," Lauer wrote. "And I will no longer provide them the shelter of my silence."
Is Matt Lauer slowly making the return to public life?
"Matt seems to be under the impression that if he waits this news cycle out, this will go away and he can have a comeback," a source told ET in 2018. "He has seen a lot of people come back and hopes he will too. For right now, his friends feel that isn't realistic. His team has discussed a public apology, but agreed disappearing right now seems to be for the best."
As of October 2019, that no longer seems to be the case. A month before finalizing his divorce from Annette Roque in Sept. 2019, Lauer was spotted with his now ex-wife at the Hampton Classic Horse Show supporting their daughter, Romy. ET reports that although the pair arrived separately, "they seemed friendly and spoke a lot to each other" during the two-hour event.
Lauer might also be looking to make a move away from his long-time Hamptons enclave. In 2018, he listed his six-bedroom Hamptons mansion for $12.75 million (via People). A year later, he was trying to unload his other Hamptons mansion, located in the beach community of Peconic Bay for $44 million. Known as Strongheart Manor, People reports that the 14,000-square-foot property boasts twelve bedrooms, twelve bathrooms, two guesthouses, and a basketball court.