Top 10 Biggets Good Morning America Scandals
#10: Janai Norman’s Shoplifting Past
In July 2022, ABC reporter Janai Norman joined “Good Morning America” as a weekend co-anchor. Shortly after this, The Sun published an exclusive report uncovering scandalous details from her wild college years. Back in March 2009, while still a sophomore at the University of Missouri, Norman was arrested for shoplifting at an upscale department store. The anchor had picked up items worth over $400 and attempted to walk out without paying when she was detained by the store’s loss prevention team. She was charged with felony retail theft and ultimately sentenced to 150 hours of community service. Despite this setback, she managed to turn her life around, joining the ABC News team just two years later.
#9: George Stephanopoulos’ Political Donations
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Although initially serving as Communications Director during Bill Clinton’s first administration, George Stephanopoulos later aimed to establish himself as a nonpartisan journalist. That image suffered a blow in 2015 when it emerged that he had donated $75,000 to the Clinton Foundation without disclosing it to ABC News or his audience. This revelation came amid the 2016 presidential election campaign, just as Stephanopoulos was slated to moderate one of the Republican primary debates. Concerns about potential bias and conflict of interest led to him being pressured into stepping down as the debate moderator. Eventually, Stephanopoulos appeared on “Good Morning America” to apologize for the oversight, labeling it “an honest mistake.”
#8: Lara Spencer’s Prince George Comments
In 2019, “Good Morning America” co-anchor Lara Spencer sparked a huge controversy over remarks she made regarding Prince George. Responding to reports that the young royal was enthusiastic about ballet classes, Spencer laughed out loud and made a comment that was deemed offensive by many. Criticism poured in from several high-profile figures, accusing her of reinforcing stereotypes against male dancers. In a show of solidarity, 300 dancers gathered in Times Square, just outside the “Good Morning America” studios, for ballet classes. Spencer ultimately acknowledged the insensitivity of her remarks and publicly apologized during the program. She also sat down with three influential male dancers for a discussion on the matter.
#7: Robin Roberts’ Coming Out
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For years, rumors swirled in the entertainment industry about Robin Roberts’ sexuality. It wasn’t until December 2013 that those rumors were put to rest when the “Good Morning America” anchor came out in a heartfelt Facebook post. Roberts, who had been diagnosed with a rare bone marrow disease, detailed her journey in the post and thanked her long-term partner, Amber Laign, for her unwavering support. Despite the casual nature of her coming out, the public response was mixed. While some applauded the news, others criticized Roberts for not coming out sooner. Nevertheless, she remained unfazed by the controversy, asserting that everyone has the right to live their lives away from the glare of the spotlight.
#6: Michael Strahan’s Vacation During Hurricane Harvey
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In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey struck Houston, Texas, causing severe flooding and widespread devastation. As a Houston native, “Good Morning America” co-host and former NFL player Michael Strahan had a personal connection to the disaster. But while the hurricane wreaked havoc, Strahan was vacationing in Greece and reportedly refused to cut short his trip to cover the tragedy. This decision stunned ABC executives and staff, especially considering that other journalists, such as Anderson Cooper and Robin Roberts, had returned from their breaks to contribute to the coverage. Strahan rebuffed the claims, however, stating that he was never asked to come back, and had already planned to assist in Houston once his vacation ended.
#5: Barbara Fedida Racism Allegations
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In the wake of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, HuffPost published an article concerning Barbara Fedida, a high-ranking executive at ABC News. The article claimed that Fedida had made several racist comments at work, particularly one directed at “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts during a salary negotiation. Other accusations suggested that Fedida, who was in charge of ABC’s diversity and inclusion efforts, had hindered the hiring of more minorities. Despite denying the accusations, which she described as “incredibly misleading,” Fedida was initially placed on administrative leave while an internal investigation was carried out. Ultimately, she was fired from ABC and her position at the network was reorganized.
#4: Amy Robach Uses an Offensive Term
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Former “Good Morning America” co-anchor Amy Robach found herself in hot water in 2016 after uttering a racial slur on the show. The incident occurred during a discussion about the rumored casting of actress Zendaya in “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” where Robach used the outdated term to describe people of color. Ironically, this happened during a conversation about diversity in Hollywood, while Robach was filling in for Robin Roberts, who is African-American. Her use of the term sparked backlash online, with some viewers even considering switching to a different morning program. Robach later issued an apology, acknowledging her mistake and clarifying that it was not a reflection of her typical language and beliefs.
#3: The ‘Chief Anchor’ Dispute
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The title of Chief Anchor of breaking news and special event coverage at ABC News was essentially tailored for George Stephanopoulos in 2014. Stephanopoulous held this role for years, while also maintaining his positions at “Good Morning America” and “This Week.” However, controversy arose in 2021, when it was revealed that fellow ABC News journalist David Muir would assume the Chief Anchor responsibilities, without the accompanying title. Stephanopoulos, a long-standing figure at ABC, was reportedly deeply upset by the decision, feeling sidelined and undervalued. He even threatened to leave the network. Tensions escalated to the point where Disney CEO Bob Iger intervened, offering Stephanopoulos a new deal, including his own production company to create content for Disney-owned platforms.
#2: Michael Corn Sexual Assault Accusations In April 2021, ABC staffers were left deeply confused when Michael Corn, a senior executive producer for “Good Morning America” abruptly resigned from the network. The circumstances surrounding his departure remained unclear until August when a lawsuit filed by Kirstyn Crawford, an anchor producer on the show, brought shocking revelations to light. Crawford accused Corn of sexually assaulting her after a work party in February 2015, when he was intoxicated. Another former employee, Jill McClain, also claimed she was sexually assaulted by Corn in 2010 and 2011. Moreover, there were allegations that Corn had fostered a toxic work environment that was hostile towards women. These accusations were reported to the network, ultimately resulting in Corn’s resignation.
#1: Amy Robach & T. J. Holmes’ Secret Romance
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In 2020, Amy Robach and T. J. Holmes began co-hosting “GMA3: What You Need to Know,” a spin-off of “Good Morning America.” But it appeared that their on-screen chemistry, which drew in audiences, extended beyond the camera. In November 2022, the Daily Mail published pictures of the two publicly displaying affection, which brought their secret romance to light. Although Robach and Holmes were still married to other people, they had both separated from their respective spouses in August 2022. Following this discovery, ABC initially suspended the co-anchors, then later fired them. In 2023, they launched a joint podcast “Amy & T.J.,” where they discussed the details of their highly publicized relationship on their own terms. Did we miss any other newsworthy “Good Morning America” scandals? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.
