Why Is Elaine Welteroth Leaving 'The Talk' on CBS?

Elaine Welteroth, a co-host of The Talk, won't be returning for the next season of the Daytime Emmy Award-winning talk show later this month.

Welteroth first joined the program as a full-time host from January 2021, following a few guest hosting gigs in 2020.

Deadline reported that the show's executive producers, Heather Gray and Kristin Matthews, said: "We wish Elaine all the best. We are grateful for her passion, enthusiasm, and insight she brought to the show daily," in a statement to the website.

"Her openness and meaningful conversations were attributes we admired and always appreciated," the executive producers said.

Why Is Elaine Welteroth Leaving The Talk?

In a statement to Deadline, Welteroth said: "It was gratifying to be able to show up as my authentic self in front of a live national audience every day in a world as divided as ours and to stay true to myself and what I stand for."

She spoke about what an honor it was, especially for "a young Black woman," to have a slot on-air "where our perspectives are largely underrepresented."

Welteroth stated she is proud of how she represented herself and her community, noting that she first came to the show to "join a diverse cast in helping to bridge some of the divides in our world through conversation and empathy."

The former Teen Vogue editor-in-chief said in the statement: "But as I always say: when the music changes, so must your dance! I will miss my talented co-hosts and crew and I wish them the very best. Thanks to all those who tuned in every day.

"I'm excited to continue these necessary conversations in my work and to share my upcoming creative projects soon," she added.

Welteroth is currently a judge on the Project Runway television show on the Bravo channel. Project Runway returns to Bravo on October 14 for its 19th season.

According to a January 2020 report from The Hollywood Reporter, a television series of her 2019 memoir More Than Enough is in development from Paramount TV Studios and Anonymous Content. Welteroth is slated to be a co-creator and executive producer of the series, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Who Will Replace Elaine Welteroth?

Welteroth and Amanda Kloots joined the show as permanent panelists at the same time, replacing Marie Osmond and Eve, who both previously exited the show.

Former co-host Carrie Ann Inaba also left the show before Welteroth's exit.

According to Deadline, the search for new hosts is underway, with an aim to have at least one new permanent co-host (which is expected to be a person of color) in place when the new season of The Talk premieres on September 13.

When the next season begins, Sheryl Underwood will be the only permanent co-host who also was on the show from last September. She will be joined by Kloots and Jerry O'Connell, who replaced Sharon Osbourne.

Osbourne left the show back in late March, after former co-hosts accused her of racism following her defense of Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan.

At the time Morgan was also accused of racism after he called Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, a liar following her March 7 interview with Oprah Winfrey.

In the interview, Markle accused the British royal family of racist behavior and said that she herself had felt suicidal during her time among them. Morgan dismissed her suicidal feelings as a lie.

Newsweek has contacted the representatives of Welteroth and the producers of The Talk for further comment.