Ann Curry Breaks Silence on Matt Lauer, Says She's "Not Surprised" by Allegations

Matt Lauer was fired by NBC for sexual harassment allegations brought against him back in November, and now his former cohost Ann Curry is speaking out in her first television interview since leaving the network. The 61-year-old was asked directly if she believed Lauer abused his power. "You know, I'm trying to do no harm in these conversations. I can tell you that I am not surprised by the allegations," she said. "I can say that I would be surprised if many woman did not understand that there was a climate of verbal harassment that existed. I think it would be surprising if someone said they didn't see that . . . Verbal sexual harassment was pervasive."

Curry left the Today show in 2012 after she was fired reportedly due to a lack of "chemistry" with Lauer. "It hurt like hell. It hurt so much, but I learned a lot about myself. I can say I've done nothing wrong. I've been honest and true," she told People exclusively. "I've tried to stay pure. I've tried to not respond in a knee-jerk manner, and I've stayed very close to who I am. So it hurt, but I'm also proud of myself." With all of that behind her, Curry is getting ready for her return to TV on Jan. 23 in her new six-part PBS docuseries, We'll Meet Again, which focuses on 12 stories of people looking for others who've changed their lives.