Sharon Osbourne may be leaving CBS’s “The Talk,” but she’s taking plenty of cash with her. The 68-year-old’s fierce defense of longtime friend Piers Morgan – specifically Morgan’s criticism of Meghan Markle – brought attention back to Osbourne herself, and things quickly went downhill from there.
In the wake of the controversy, CBS released a statement: “Sharon Osbourne has decided to leave ‘The Talk. The events of the March 10 broadcast were upsetting to everyone involved, including the audience watching at home.”
According to a Page Six source, this soft statement was part of the deal Osbourne struck, but it wasn’t the only important criteria of her exit agreement.
“Sharon is walking away with a $5 to $10 million minimum payout and was able to spin that it was her decision [to leave the show],” an insider explained.
Apparently, other sources predicted this hefty payout. Earlier, one commented that Osbourne “wasn’t going down without a fight… She knows where all the bodies are buried.”
Although that definitely sounds ominous, it seems that Osbourne was able to make a convincing argument – though that bargaining power might have more to do with her legal team. She hired top entertainment attorney Jeremiah Reynolds for her case, and it definitely sounds like it was the right move.
However, a CBS spokesperson has recently denied the payout rumors, calling the them “false, inaccurate or untrue – take your pick” while speaking to the Los Angeles Times.
So when will we know all the details? It sounds like that is still up in the air, but a source assures Page Six that Osbourne will not stay quiet forever.
“Sharon will talk when she is ready,” the source promised. “She still wants to give her side of the story. She has been on that show for 11 years and knows all the secrets.”
Despite the scandal, many fans have continued to support Osbourne. Her Instagram comments section is full of people vowing that they will never watch “The Talk” again now that she has left the show.
“They need to change the name if the host are not allowed to TALK! I’m done,” one wrote.
Another commented, “Never watching ‘The Talk’ without you on.”