Megyn Kelly is a prominent American journalist and television personality who became a household name during her tenure at Fox News. Known for her sharp interviewing style and willingness to challenge political figures, she played a central role in some of the most significant media events of the 2010s. Kelly's career, however, has been marked by both triumph and controversy, making her a complex figure in modern journalism.
Born on November 18, 1970, in Syracuse, New York, Megyn Marie Kelly grew up in the Albany area. She earned a Bachelor's degree in political science from Syracuse University and later a Juris Doctor from Albany Law School. Before entering journalism, Kelly practiced law as a corporate litigator at Bickel & Brewer in Chicago and later at Jones Day in Washington, D.C. Her transition to media began in 2003 when she joined WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C., as a general assignment reporter. In 2004, she moved to Fox News, where she would become one of the network's most recognizable faces.
At Fox News, Kelly quickly ascended the ranks. She co-anchored America's Newsroom with Bill Hemmer and later hosted her own show, Megyn Kelly Tonight (later The Kelly File), which debuted in 2013. The program became one of the highest-rated cable news shows, known for its coverage of breaking news and political analysis. Kelly often conducted interviews with major figures, including President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump.
Her most famous moment came during the first Republican presidential debate in August 2015, when she confronted Trump over his past derogatory comments about women. Kelly asked, "You've called women you don't like 'fat pigs,' 'dogs,' 'slobs,' and 'disgusting animals' ... Your Twitter account has several disparaging comments about women's looks. Does that sound like the temperament of a man we should elect as president?" Trump later criticized Kelly, saying she had "blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever," a comment widely seen as a sexist attack. The incident fueled a year-long feud between Trump and Kelly, with Trump boycotting a subsequent debate hosted by Fox News.
In 2016, Kelly revealed in her book Settle for More that she had been sexually harassed by Fox News CEO Roger Ailes. This disclosure, made public during the network's internal investigation, led to Ailes' resignation and a subsequent $45 million settlement with Fox's parent company. Kelly's bravery in speaking out encouraged other women to come forward, contributing to the MeToo movement. Her role in the scandal was later depicted in the 2019 film Bombshell, where Charlize Theron portrayed her in an Oscar-nominated performance.
After leaving Fox News in January 2017, Kelly signed with NBC News to host Megyn Kelly Today, a morning show that struggled to find an audience. In October 2018, she sparked outrage by defending the use of blackface during a Halloween segment, saying that as a child it was "okay" if dressed as a black character. The comments were widely condemned, and the show was canceled shortly after. Kelly left NBC in 2019 with a reported $30 million buyout.
Since then, Kelly has launched a podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show, where she continues to discuss news and culture. She has also written a second book, The End of the World as We Know It, about cancel culture and media bias. Despite her controversies, Kelly remains a significant voice in conservative media, though her influence has diminished compared to her peak at Fox News.
Key facts about Megyn Kelly include: she is a former lawyer turned journalist; she hosted The Kelly File on Fox News from 2013 to 2017; she confronted Donald Trump in a 2015 debate; she revealed Roger Ailes' sexual harassment; she moved to NBC but left after blackface comments; she currently hosts a podcast; and her portrayal by Charlize Theron in Bombshell won critical acclaim. Her legacy is a cautionary tale about the volatility of media stardom and the lasting consequences of on-air missteps.
Beyond her broadcast work, Kelly has been a vocal critic of cancel culture and what she sees as a leftward drift in American journalism. She frequently tackles topics like free speech, gender equality, and political correctness. In 2020, she interviewed President Trump again, showing a thaw in relations. Her personal life includes three children and a second husband, Doug Brunt, a novelist. The Megyn Kelly story continues to evolve, as she remains a polarizing but undeniable force in American media.
Source:Le Figaro News