The Talk announced on Dec. 1 that Amanda Kloots and Elaine Welteroth would replace Eve and Marie Osmond on season 11 of the Daytime Emmy Award-winning talk show. “I am thrilled and honored to join this incredible cast and crew,” Amanda said in a statement along with the cast announcement. “From the very first time I guest co-hosted on The Talk, I knew I was among a very special group of people. I look forward to starting off the new year with honest and thought-provoking discussions, mixed with plenty of fun and laughter too.”
“[Amanda’s] getting along great with everyone,” says a source close to the show while sharing some EXCLUSIVE details on Amanda’s hiring with HollywoodLife. “She was only supposed to be on once but became so popular she was asked back immediately,” said the insider. At first, there was some concern that Amanda wouldn’t take the job because it might take her away from Elvis Cordero, her 1-year-old son with the late Nick Cordero. Nick passed away in July after a battle with COVID-19, and Amanda knew that “a talk show is a large commitment,” says the insider. The producers were going to “see if they can find a way to make it work,” and obviously, they did!
She’ll now join Elaine, Sharon Osbourne, Cheryl Underwood, and Carrie Ann Inaba to host the long-running daytime program. “I am beyond excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the phenomenal women of The Talk,” added Elaine, a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning journalist, and editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue. “They have each made me feel right at home alongside them on this incredible platform that cultivates connection, kindness, and understanding when we all need it most. I look forward to learning from them and lending my perspective to conversations that build bridges in this singular time in our world.”
Amanda will have a lot to say when she makes her first appearance as a full-time co-host on Jan. 4, 2021. Since losing her husband to COVID-19, she’s been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. After Trump told Americans not to let COVID-10 “dominate your life” after he underwent top-notch care at Walter Reed, Amanda clapped back. “Unfortunately, it did dominate our lives, didn’t it? It dominated Nick’s family’s lives and my family’s lives. I guess we “let it” – like it was our choice?? Unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to spend two days in the hospital. I cried next to my husband for 95 days watching what COVID did to the person I love. It IS something to be afraid of.”
Recently, Amanda – a former Broadway dancer, a Radio City Rockette, and current entrepreneur/celebrity trainer – celebrated her and Elvis’s first Thanksgiving since Nick’s tragic passing. “When I tell you I was so confused,” Amanda captioned a video of her meeting her sister, Anna Kloots, joining her for Turkey Day. “I opened the door to my house, and Anna slid in holding Elvis- I thought I was looking at myself!!! I had to do a double-take, haha! Hooray for surprises! Hooray for the holidays! Hooray for family! Anna was able to safely fly back to be with us this Thanksgiving, and it is the best surprise ever!”