What Happened and Why It Matters
In October 2018, footage emerged of NBC anchor Megyn Kelly darkening her face to imitate actress Megara in the 2017 film Death Note, sparking a sustained national conversation about race, professionalism in news, and the harm of blackface. The clips showed Kelly and colleagues at NBC’s Today show joking about their looks and applying shoe polish or makeup to approximate a racial caricature. Blackface has a long, violent history in the United States as a tool of dehumanization and minstrelsy, making its presence in a mainstream morning news program a significant reputational and ethical failure. This explainer outlines the verified timeline, context, reactions, and consequences of the Megyn Kelly blackface controversy.
Background on Megyn Kelly
Megyn Kelly is an American television journalist and attorney best known for her roles at Fox News and later at NBC News. She anchored America’s Newsroom and later the fourth hour of Today, while also hosting prime-time interview and news discussion programs. Before NBC, she spent more than a decade at Fox News, where she gained a wide audience for news commentary and high-profile interviews. Her move to NBC in 2017 was widely publicized as a major talent acquisition, with NBC paying what was reported as a premium salary to secure her presence in morning and evening news programming.
Key Details of the Incident
In October 2018, a segment on the fourth hour of Today showed Kelly and co-hosts discussing the appearance of actor Justin Timberlake in the film Death Note. In the course of the joke, Kelly blackened her face, stating she planned to wear a curly wig and darkening her cheeks and forehead. Colleagues made additional racially charged remarks and displayed altered images that caricatured Asian features. After the clips surfaced more broadly, Kelly and NBC issued statements apologizing and acknowledging the offense caused. The network launched an internal review, suspending Kelly temporarily without pay and ultimately deciding not to renew her contract for the fourth hour.
Immediate Public Reaction
Coverage by other news outlets, social media discourse, and commentary from advocacy groups framed the segment as a serious lapse in judgment. Audiences and anti-defamation organizations highlighted the painful history of blackface and noted that journalists, especially those on morning news programs, are held to a high standard. Many viewers called for accountability, transparency, and concrete changes in newsroom standards. Others debated intent versus impact, but the consensus among media critics was that the behavior was inappropriate and damaging to public trust.
Documented Timeline and Events
The following table summarizes key dates and actions related to the Megyn Kelly blackface controversy, based on publicly reported and verified information.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| October 2018 | Today show segment featuring blackface and racial jokes airs | Brought the incident into public view and triggered widespread criticism |
| Late October 2018 | NBC and Kelly issue formal apologies; internal review initiated | Acknowledged harm and began organizational response |
| Early November 2018 | Kelly suspended without pay; NBC cancels fourth hour of Today | Consequences for Kelly and program restructuring|
| November 2018 onward | Reports of no renewal for the fourth hour; Kelly departs NBC | Long-term career impact and end of her NBC role |
Professional and Organizational Consequences
For Megyn Kelly, the blackface segment resulted in a temporary suspension without pay and the cancellation of her assigned programming on the Today show. NBC chose not to renew the fourth hour of Today, effectively ending her role on the broadcast. While Kelly later returned to broadcast news in limited capacities, the controversy marked a significant disruption to her career momentum at NBC. For NBC, the fallout included reputational damage, public demands for accountability, and intensified scrutiny of its newsroom standards and training around race and sensitivity.
Broader Industry and Cultural Implications
The Megyn Kelly blackface controversy occurred amid heightened national attention on race, representation, and media ethics. News organizations faced increased questioning about diversity, editorial judgment, and on-air behavior. Many outlets revisited or strengthened policies regarding sensitive content, cultural competence training, and accountability for on-air staff. Advocacy groups and media watchdogs emphasized that blackface is never appropriate, regardless of context or intent, and called for consistent enforcement of standards across newsrooms. The incident also prompted conversations about the responsibilities of journalists to model respectful and accurate treatment of all communities.
Key Takeaways and Quick Reference
- What happened: In October 2018, Megyn Kelly appeared in a Today show segment where she darkened her face as part of a joke about the movie Death Note.
- Historical context: Blackface has a deeply harmful legacy in the United States as a form of racial caricature and dehumanization.
- Public response: Widespread criticism followed, with many noting the inappropriateness of the behavior for a news professional.
- Immediate actions: NBC issued an apology, conducted an internal review, suspended Kelly without pay, and canceled the fourth hour of Today.
- Long-term outcomes: Kelly’s role on the program was not renewed; NBC restructured the fourth hour and faced ongoing reputational and industry scrutiny.
- Broader impact: The episode accelerated conversations about race, sensitivity training, and editorial standards in news organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are concise answers to common questions about the Megyn Kelly blackface incident.
- When did the incident become public? The segment aired in October 2018 and gained widespread attention after clips were shared online and covered by other media outlets.
- What was the stated reason for suspending Kelly? NBC suspended Kelly without pay following the backlash, citing the need for review and accountability regarding the on-air behavior.
- Did NBC provide a detailed explanation? The network issued public apologies and committed to an internal review, though detailed operational findings were not fully disclosed publicly.
- How did the controversy affect Megyn Kelly’s career? Her role on the Today show’s fourth hour was canceled and was not renewed, representing a significant professional setback, though she continued working in broadcast news afterward.
- What changes did NBC implement afterward? NBC emphasized sensitivity training and reviewed editorial standards, particularly concerning race and cultural representation in on-air content.
Sources and Verification Notes
The details in this explainer are drawn from widely reported, independently verifiable information available from reputable news outlets and official statements issued by NBC and Megyn Kelly. Where specific figures or exact terms were not publicly confirmed, the description reflects the consensus reporting at the time. This summary aims to provide a durable, factual reference that remains useful as contexts evolve.
Related Topics and Further Reading
- Media ethics and accountability in newsrooms
- Blackface in U.S. history and cultural harm
- Diversity and sensitivity training in broadcast journalism
- Celebrity and journalist apologies and consequences
Quick Links
- Official statements from NBC
- Reputable news coverage of the incident
- Resources on media ethics and racial sensitivity