Former CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota is speaking out following her abrupt exit from the network.
“Before we go, on this very busy news day, I just wanted to take a moment to share some personal news. This is my last day on air at CNN,” Camerota, 58, said before CNN Newsroom came to an end on Sunday, December 8. “I’ve had such incredible opportunities here these 10-plus years, I’ve interviewed presidents and heroes and extraordinary people — the kind of peak career experiences that I had dreamed of since I was a teenager.”
Camerota further praised her fellow CNN journalists calling them “the very best in the entire news business.”
“It is an honor to have been their colleague,” she continued. “It’s also an honor to have been in your homes this past decade through some of the biggest stories of our lifetimes.”
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She concluded her message, telling viewers to follow her on Instagram for career updates.
“To my dear friends at CNN, thank you for all the laughs we’ve shared, all you’ve taught me about the power of journalism, and for making my time here so deeply rewarding,” Camerota concluded. “I wish you all a peaceful holiday season and I’ll see you all soon.”
Further details about the reason for Camerota’s exit have not been shared. She announced her departure from CNN in an Instagram caption before going live on Sunday.
“Big News, Everyone! — today is my last day on CNN,” she wrote. “Tune in at 4:50p (et) for my sign off. Keep it here for updates!”
In a second Instagram post, Camerota shared a video pulling her earpiece off.
“That’s a wrap!” she captioned the clip. “It’s been a true honor.”
Camerota called it her “last time at CNN” noting that she might be back if there’s any “major breaking news.”
“I’m on to new horizons. I’ll just share this bit of wisdom. New horizons are great when you’re ready for them,” she said. “There have been times in my life when I was not ready to leave a place that I loved and that was really sad and really hard. But I think am ready to leave this place that I’ve loved.”
CNN CEO Mark Thompson also addressed Camerota’s departure in a statement on Sunday.
“Alisyn is a rare talent with the ability to interview world leaders and everyday heroes with both strength and empathy,” he told Variety. “She’s been a wonderful colleague at CNN for more than a decade, and we will be cheering her on in her new pursuits where she will surely find much success.”
