After leaving the E! network in December upon discovering that her male co-anchor was paid more, former anchor Catt Sadler is calling out E!’s claim that her pay was a result of her having different responsibilities than her co-worker. Cosmopolitan reports that E! finally responded on Tuesday to the controversy surrounding Sadler’s unequal pay. After several actresses criticized the network on the Golden Globes red carpet for its treatment of Sadler, it’s about time that someone tried to clear the air.
While speaking at the Television Critics Association Press Tour, Frances Berwick, president of NBCUniversal’s lifestyle networks, said of Sadler, “There is a lot of misinformation out there. Catt Sadler and [co-anchor] Jason Kennedy had different roles and therefore different salaries. Catt was focused on daytime, Jason is on prime evening news plus red carpet. Our employees’ salaries are based on their roles and their expertise, regardless of gender. We wish Catt well.”
Since the news of Sadler’s departure broke, Kennedy’s wife Lauren Scruggs Kennedy expressed in her blog that sexist claims against E! were largely untrue. Citing Kennedy once receiving less than two other female co-anchors as an example, she wrote, “At one time my husband had a female co-host on E! News who made three times his salary and another female co-host was paid more than him as well. Women are paid accordingly on this network.”
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sadler pointed out the differences between her own scenario and Kennedy’s previous one. “My experience, frustration and disparity was based on Jason Kennedy and myself being apples to apples,” she said. “We came to the network at the same time and did similar jobs. For people to use the argument that Giuliana [Rancic] somehow made more money than Jason, that comparison doesn’t work. They’re apples and oranges. She joined before him, she was managing editor, she had multiple shows on the network.”
Sadler also hinted of her disappointment in Scruggs Kennedy for taking such a detailed stance, saying, “It’s unfortunate that people who don’t work there are trying to be the voice for the network. The only story I can tell is my truth and the truth speaks for itself.”
Despite that awkwardness between the two women, Sadler has previously emphasized that Kennedy is not to blame for the unequal pay. In an Instagram post announcing her departure, she wrote, “He has done right by me in every respect. It hurts me deeply that some are vilifying him.”
Sadler also expressed in the interview that she’s happily looking forward in her career, sharing plans to focus on “meaningful work.” After the widespread support of her seen at the Globes, she also took to Twitter to thank the actresses who mentioned her in red carpet interviews.
To the sisterhood of strong women using their voices on my behalf – I’m humbled, grateful, and beyond inspired by your relentless pursuit of what’s fair for ALL women. @amyschumer @DebraMessing @EvaLongoria @SJP@brielarson
I salute you, love you, and miss you too. #TimesUp— catt sadler (@IAmCattSadler) January 8, 2018
As difficult as this change has been for both E! and Sadler, it’s clear that Sadler sticking up for herself has inspired women throughout the entertainment industry. I can’t wait to see what she does next in the new era of #TimesUp.