After weeks of silence, Ann Curry is finally speaking out about her former Today Show co-host Matt Lauer and the sexual assault allegations that led to his firing last month. The 61-year-old TV veteran sat down for an interview and revealed she wasn’t completely blindsided by the news.

“I can tell you that I am not surprised by the allegations,” she told CBS This Morning on Wednesday, Jan. 17. When asked if she believed Matt abused his power on the popular morning show, Ann was hesitant to say too much out of respect for the victims. “Now I’m walking down that road and I’m trying not to hurt people,” she explained. “And I know what it’s like to be publicly humiliated.”

She continued, “But I can say that — because you are asking me a very direct question — I can say that I would be surprised if many women did not understand that there was a climate of verbal harassment that existed. I would be surprised if someone said that they didn’t see that. So, it was verbal sexual harassment.”

Ann left Today in 2012, and it was reported that “her lack of chemistry” with Matt, 60, was to blame. So it was no surprise that viewers, who felt she was forced out by the now-disgraced host, took to social media and got the hashtag “#SomewhereAnnCurry” trending following Matt’s dismissal. However, Ann admits she was not “breaking out the champagne” as one Twitter follower wrote.

“I wish I could say that I was celebrating,” she told People magazine. “But actually I immediately checked myself. Because I knew women had suffered. I’m not a vengeful person. I know what it’s like to be humiliated. I just don’t want to play a part in anyone else’s humiliation.”

And now, it is being reported that Ann could be making her Today Show return alongside new co-host Hoda Kotb. “There is talk now of bringing Ann back,” an insider told Life & Style in December, adding that roles including special correspondent and co-host fill-in are under consideration. “They’ve always felt Ann was an incredibly likable colleague. They feel there’s a place for her” on the show. We couldn’t agree more.

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