Wikipedia

Amy Robach

Amy Joanne Robach (born February 6, 1973) [1] is an American television reporter formerly for ABC News. She is known as co-anchor of 20/20 and as the breaking news anchor/fill-in anchor for Good Morning America. Robach first entered national television by working for NBC News from August 2003 to May 2012.[2] She served as a national correspondent for NBC News from 2003 to 2007 and became co-host of the Saturday edition of NBC's Today as well as anchor on MSNBC from 2007 to 2012.

Amy Robach
Robach in 2008
Born
Amy Joanne Robach

(1973-02-06) February 6, 1973 (age 51)
St. Joseph, Michigan, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Georgia
Occupation(s)Anchor, correspondent
Years active1995–present
Spouses
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​
(m. 1996; div. 2008)​
​
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(m. 2010; div. 2023)​
Children2

From May 2012 to January 2023, Robach worked for ABC News. She was a contributor for Good Morning America from May 2012 until March 2020, when she became the host of Pandemic: What You Need to Know, a show created in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The show would later become GMA3: What You Need to Know, which she co-hosted from September 2020 to December 2022. Robach also served as co-anchor of 20/20 alongside David Muir from May 2018 until January 2023. She was fired from ABC after it was revealed that she had a romantic relationship with her Good Morning America co-host T.J. Holmes.[3]

Early life

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Born in St. Joseph, Michigan, Robach grew up in East Lansing, Michigan, before moving to St. Louis. Her family moved again to Georgia, where she attended high school and college. Robach graduated from Brookwood High School in Snellville, Georgia, and from the University of Georgia with high honors in broadcast journalism.[4] She was fourth runner-up in the 1995 Miss Georgia pageant.[5]

Career

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Robach started her career at WCBD-TV in 1995.[6] Robach then left the station in 1999 and started working at WTTG in Washington, D.C., then moved to MSNBC in 2003 where she spent four years, including a stint anchoring two hours in the morning, and filling in on Weekend Today, Countdown with Keith Olbermann and Morning Joe. She was named co-anchor of Weekend Today in July 2007. Her last day on Weekend Today was May 19, 2012,[7] when she announced she would be moving to ABC News.[8][7]

Robach initially appeared on ABC's Good Morning America as a correspondent.[9] She became the show's news anchor on March 31, 2014. In 2018, Robach became the new co-anchor of 20/20.[10]

In March 2020, Robach began hosting Pandemic: What You Need to Know on ABC, a daytime program initially focused on the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, and airing in place of Strahan, Sara & Keke.[11] The program later replaced Strahan, Sara & Keke indefinitely as GMA3: What You Need to Know, with Robach continuing as host.[12] Robach was removed from GMA3 in December 2022 after it was revealed that she was having a romantic relationship with her co-anchor T. J. Holmes.[13]

Jeffrey Epstein story

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On November 2, 2019, Project Veritas released a late August 2019 "hot mic" incident in which Robach discusses ABC shutting down her story on billionaire convicted sex offender and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein in 2015. Robach's comments came just two days after an NPR story disclosed the existence of an on-camera interview with Virginia Roberts Giuffre and ABC's failure to broadcast it. Giuffre says she was sexually trafficked by Epstein to powerful men including Prince Andrew, Duke of York — a claim the Duke has strenuously denied. In a "hot mic" video, Robach was recorded on set for ABC's Good Morning America voicing the following statements:

"I've had the story for three years," Robach says in the video. "We would not put it on the air. Um, first of all, I was told, 'Who was Jeffrey Epstein? No one knows who that is. This is a stupid story.' Then the palace found out that we had her whole allegations about Prince Andrew and threatened us a million different ways." Robach goes on to say that Giuffre alluded to others in the interview, including former President Bill Clinton, Harvard University law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz and Epstein's former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. Giuffre has made similar accusations against all of them also in court documents. (All deny any wrongdoing or involvement in Epstein's sex trafficking.) Giuffre has said in court papers that she saw Clinton in Epstein's presence but did not witness Clinton participate in any sexual activity.[14]

"I tried for three years to get it out to no avail, and now these new revelations and — I freaking had all of it," Robach says on the tape. "I'm so pissed right now. Like, every day I get more and more pissed, 'cause I'm just like, 'Oh my God! It was — what we had, was unreal.' "[14]

Robach further stated: “One of the reasons an interview with Roberts was not broadcast was because, we were so afraid we wouldn’t be able to interview Kate and Will, so I think that had also quashed the story.”[15]

Robach responded to the leaked video with this statement: "As a journalist, as the Epstein story continued to unfold last summer, I was caught in a private moment of frustration. I was upset that an important interview I had conducted with Virginia Roberts didn’t air because we could not obtain sufficient corroborating evidence to meet ABC’s editorial standards about her allegations. My comments about Prince Andrew and her allegation that she had seen Bill Clinton on Epstein's private island were about what Virginia Roberts said in that interview in 2015. I was referencing her allegations—not what ABC News had verified through our reporting. The interview itself, while I was disappointed it didn't air, didn't meet our standards. In the years since, no one ever told me or the team to stop reporting on Jeffrey Epstein, and we have continued to aggressively pursue this important story."[16]

ABC News issued a statement, asserting: "At the time, not all of our reporting met our standards to air, but we have never stopped investigating the story. Ever since, we’ve had a team on this investigation and substantial resources dedicated to it. That work has led to a two-hour documentary and 6-part podcast that will air in the new year."[16]

T.J. Holmes affair and firing from ABC News

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On December 5, 2022, Robach, along with her GMA3 co-host T. J. Holmes, were taken off the air following the public disclosure of a romantic relationship between the two.[17]

On January 27, 2023, both Robach and Holmes were fired from ABC News as a result of their relationship.[18][19]

On December 5, 2023, they launched a podcast, Amy & T.J., on iHeartRadio.[20]

Personal life

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Family

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Robach is a cousin of former Nashville Star contestant Matt Lindahl. Her aunt and uncle were performing-arts teachers at her high school.[4][21][22]

She was married to Tim McIntosh from 1996 until filing for an uncontested divorce in 2008. They have two daughters, born in 2002 and 2006.[23]

Robach became engaged to former Melrose Place star Andrew Shue in September 2009.[24] They were married on her 37th birthday, February 6, 2010, at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, adjacent to the Hudson River.[25] It was reported they separated in August 2022,[26] after it was discovered Robach was having a relationship with her GMA3 co-anchor T. J. Holmes.[27] The divorce was reportedly finalized in March 2023.[28]

Health

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On November 11, 2013, Robach revealed on Good Morning America that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer after receiving a mammogram on live television on October 1, 2013, and after undergoing follow-up tests. She took time off from broadcasting to undergo a bilateral mastectomy.[29] On November 22, 2013, Robach revealed that during the surgery, doctors found a second malignant tumor in her other breast and that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes (classified as Stage IIB).[30] She then underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and reconstructive surgery. She was cancer-free as of March 2022.[31]

On her podcast announcing that she and Holmes were having a "dry January" to start 2024, she said that she was having "over 30 drinks a week" before abstaining.

"I didn't have a job to go to. I was staying away from a lot of friends and family. We were laying low. So what did I do? I drank a lot, a lot more than I ever have. I don't think I've ever gone a full year where I drank every single day, and that was 2023 for me. It wasn't that I was getting wasted or drunk or any of that; it was just keeping a buzz going all day or at least keeping a relaxed state of mind in a heightened, anxious year," she said.[32]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Borchard, Gregory A. (January 28, 2022). The SAGE Encyclopedia of Journalism: 2nd Edition. SAGE Publications. ISBN 978-1-5443-9116-8.
  2. ^ Maynard, John (August 6, 2003). "WTTG's Amy Robach Changing Channels to MSNBC". The Washington Post.
  3. ^ Weprin, Alex (December 5, 2023). "Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes Break Silence on Exit From 'GMA3' and ABC News". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Wilson, Phylecia (July 2008). "Snellville's Own Amy Robach Becomes a Today Show co-host". Gwinnett Citizen. Retrieved February 14, 2012.
  5. ^ "With New Leadership at Miss America Pageant, Is the Swimsuit Competition on Its Way Out?". Inside Edition. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  6. ^ "2 former WCBD employees, including Amy Robach, reunite". January 15, 2019.
  7. ^ a b "Honoring Amy: 3 memorable moments from her TODAY career". allDAY blog. Today.com. May 19, 2012. Archived from the original on May 21, 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2012.
  8. ^ "Amy Robach Joins ABC News". ABC News (Press release). May 21, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  9. ^ Ford, David (July 20, 2012). "ABC News Coverage Plans — Tragedy in Colorado". ABC News.
  10. ^ Steinberg, Brian (September 13, 2018). "Amy Robach Wants to Bring News Aficionados to ABC's '20/20'". Variety. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  11. ^ Steinberg, Brian (March 17, 2020). "ABC Will Suspend 'Strahan, Sara & Keke' in Favor of Coronavirus News Show". Variety. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  12. ^ Petski, Denise (August 3, 2020). "Keke Palmer Says She "Expected" Her 'Good Morning America' Show Would Be Canceled". Deadline. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  13. ^ Alsharif, Mirna; Mullen, Austin (December 5, 2022). "'GMA3' anchors T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach taken off air after news of their relationship surfaced". NBC News. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  14. ^ a b Folkenflik, David (November 5, 2019). "ABC News Defends Its Epstein Coverage After Leaked Video Of Anchor". NPR.org.
  15. ^ Joseph de Burca (August 2, 2020). "Judge a (future) king by his courtiers: Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, pawns in the cover-up of a transatlantic paedophile network". Village. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  16. ^ a b Ahmed, Tufayel (November 5, 2019). "ABC Killed Jeffrey Epstein Sex Trafficking Story Three Years Ago, News Anchor Amy Robach Caught on Camera Saying". Newsweek.
  17. ^ Johnson, Ted (December 12, 2022). "Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes Remain Off Air From 'GMA3' As Network Conducts Internal Review — Update". Deadline. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  18. ^ Ryu, Jenna. "Amy Robach, T.J. Holmes will not return to 'GMA' following alleged affair, ABC News says". USA TODAY. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  19. ^ "'GMA3's T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach no longer with ABC News following their romance scandal". NBC News. January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  20. ^ "Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes Go 'Instagram Official' — and Announce a Podcast!". Peoplemag. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  21. ^ Wallace, San Dee (April 15, 2004). "San Dee Wallace". The Herald Palladium. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  22. ^ Woodson, Joy L. (October 15, 2013). "Loving the Lindahls: Theater Couple Takes Final Bow at Brookwood High". snellville.patch.com. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  23. ^ Messinger, Eric (June 3, 2013). "Mad Love With Andrew & Amy » New York Family Magazine". New York Family. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  24. ^ Miller, Samantha (September 27, 2009). "Engaged: Andrew Shue and Today's Amy Robach!". People. Retrieved September 29, 2009.
  25. ^ Caplan, David (February 7, 2010). "Andrew Shue and Today's Amy Robach are married". People. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
  26. ^ Wenger, Stephanie (December 2, 2022). "Amy Robach 'Went to Mediation' with Andrew Shue and Was 'Waiting' to Announce Their Split: Source". People.com. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  27. ^ Curto, Justin (December 7, 2022). "Every Detail of T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach's GMA3 Drama in Chronological Order". Vulture. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  28. ^ Stone, Alexander (March 17, 2023). "Amy Robach & Andrew Shue Finalize Divorce Following T.J. Holmes Relationship Scandal". OK!. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  29. ^ "ABC News' Amy Robach Reveals Breast Cancer Diagnosis". ABC News. November 11, 2013.
  30. ^ Barker, Olivia (November 22, 2013). "ABC's Amy Robach: 'My cancer had spread'". USA Today.
  31. ^ "Why GMA Stars Robin Roberts and Amy Robach 'Think Of Each Other As Sisters' After Robin 'Saved Amy's Life' With Cancer Warning". SurvivorNet. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  32. ^ "T.J. Holmes Says He Could 'Easily Go Through 18 Drinks a Day' Before Dry January". Peoplemag. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
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