Joy Reid brought humor to a significant career transition as she made a surprise appearance at Essence’s Black Women in Hollywood event on February 27.
The veteran broadcaster, 56, lightheartedly referenced her recent exit from MSNBC, marking the end of her primetime news segment, The ReidOut.
Addressing the Crowd with Humor
Reid took the stage with a playful remark, capturing the audience’s attention right away.
“Now, I think you might have heard that I recently been through a breakup,” she quipped, quickly clarifying, “But not with my husband!”
The comment drew laughter from the crowd, as she went on to share that the event coincided with a special occasion—her wedding anniversary.
Reid and her husband were celebrating 28 years of marriage that very day, adding a personal and heartfelt touch to her speech.
MSNBC’s Decision to Part Ways with Reid
Reid’s joke came just days after MSNBC’s newly appointed president, Rebecca Kulter, confirmed her departure from the network. In a memo sent to staff on February 24, Kulter acknowledged Reid’s contributions over the years and highlighted the accolades The ReidOut had received.
“Joy Reid is leaving the network and we thank her for her countless contributions over the years,” the memo read. “Her work has been recognized with several esteemed honors, including most recently, the 2025 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding News Series.”
Reid, known for her in-depth political analysis and compelling interviews, launched The ReidOut in 2020, becoming the first Black woman to host a primetime news show on MSNBC. The program covered a wide range of political and social justice issues, often featuring candid conversations with high-profile figures, including politicians, activists, and public intellectuals.
Reid’s Emotional Response to Her Exit
In a social media post shared shortly after midnight on February 24, Reid expressed gratitude for the support she had received following the announcement of her departure.
“I just want to say thank you to everyone who has reached out with kindness and encouragement, both personally and in these social media streets,” she wrote. “So very proud of The ReidOut team, who are truly family, and all of our supporters & friends. See you tomorrow night at 7, one more time.”
Later that day, during an appearance on the Win With Black Women podcast, Reid spoke openly about the range of emotions she had experienced since learning about MSNBC’s decision.
“I’ve been through every emotion from, you know, anger, rage, disappointment, hurt, guilt, that I let my team lose their jobs,” she admitted, visibly emotional. “But in the end, where I really land … is just gratitude. Just pure gratitude.”
Despite the setback, Reid maintained a sense of pride in the work she had done, emphasizing the importance of the stories she covered during her time on air.
No Regrets About Her Coverage
Throughout her tenure at MSNBC, Reid was known for fearlessly tackling critical social and political issues. She made it clear that she had no regrets about the topics she chose to highlight, including the Black Lives Matter movement, hate crimes against Asian Americans, and immigration policies.
“I’m not sorry. I am not sorry that I stood up for those things,” she declared.
Her unwavering stance on these topics cemented her reputation as a bold and outspoken voice in political journalism.
The Future for Joy Reid
While MSNBC’s decision to part ways with Reid marks the end of The ReidOut, it is unlikely to be the end of her career in media. As a respected journalist, author, and political commentator, Reid has built a dedicated following and will likely continue her work in some capacity, whether through television, digital platforms, or other forms of media.
For now, her focus appears to be on embracing change with gratitude and humor. As she demonstrated during her recent appearance, she is taking this transition in stride, keeping her sense of humor intact and looking ahead to the next chapter.
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