Catt Sadler has left her post as an “E! News” host over what she says is a “massive disparity in pay” compared to her male co-host.
The 43-year-old host detailed the reasoning for her exit in a blog post. She confirmed on Twitter that Tuesday was her last day.
Sadler, a divorced mother to two boys, said that as E! tapped her to co-host it’s new show the “Daily Pop,” she was told by an executive that she made less than Jason Kennedy, 38, her co-host on “E! News.”
“Coincidentally, around this same time 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,” Sadler wrote in her blog post. “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.”
Sadler maintains that she wanted to stay at the network, but she did not want to settle for less than what she was worth.
"My team and I asked for what I know I deserve and were denied repeatedly.
"Know your worth. I have two decades experience in broadcasting and started at the network the very same year as my close friend and colleague that I adore. I so lovingly refer to him as my 'tv husband' and I mean it," she said, referring to Kennedy. "But how can I operate with integrity and stay on at E if they're not willing to pay me the same as him? Or at least come close? How can I accept an offer that shows they do not value my contributions and paralleled dedication all these years?"
"Not only did (E!) refuse to pay me as much as my male counterpart, but they didn't come close — nowhere close, not even remotely close," Sadler told People.
Kennedy posted a video before their final show together on Twitter.
"I hate goodbyes but I'll save it for the show tonight, love you so much pal, really going to miss you," Kennedy tweeted before the show Tuesday.
A spokesperson told People on behalf of Kennedy and the network, “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 isn’t sure what’s next for her but says her career in TV is not over.
"I think I was born to do this. It's what I do, it's all I know, so I will definitely miss just the exercise of everyday getting to do this job," she told People. "But I will land on my feet and I will get to the other side of this, for sure."
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