Former FOX anchor and NBC morning show host Megyn Kelly achieved what we all thought was
impossible by getting fired for poor ratings and controversial comments, but continuing
to collect her full paycheck through the end of her contract.
So, what is her life like now besides laughing all the way to the bank and doing whatever
she wants all the time?
Keep watching to find out.
Dog mom first, TV host second
In January 2019, TMZ caught up with Kelly, who revealed that she would "definitely" be
on TV in the coming year, though she didn't offer any specifics, because she has other
plans to handle first.
Her "first priority" is adopting a new dog, since her last one died at age 14, and now
that she's had an appropriate mourning period, she's ready to start looking for another pooch.
It's unclear when and where Kelly will make her first post-NBC TV appearance.
But a source told Radar Online that it's likely to be on The View, first as a guest appearance
and then possibly as a permanent co-host.
Variety reported in December 2018 that Kelly didn't have a non-compete clause with NBC,
thus freeing her to work at other networks.
But don't expect her to return to Fox News.
When asked about a possible Kelly comeback, 21st Century Fox executive chair Lachlan Murdoch
told press that he was happy with the current lineup on his network.
Sacked but not strapped
To become a millionaire, most of us either have to work really hard for a really long
time, invest brilliantly, or win the lottery.
But not Megyn Kelly, who got fired from NBC and still collected the full sum of her contract.
A source told Page Six that she walked away from the network with the remainder of her
$69 million deal, estimated to be in the range of $25-$30 million, despite only working for
18 months out of the planned three years.
Some sources suggest that Kelly's salary was what ultimately led to her downfall.
An insider told Page Six,
"Once Megyn's salary was made public, the knives were out.
Other network talent went in demanding a raise equivalent to Megyn, and were not happy to
be told 'no.'"
The source also claimed that there was hostility toward Kelly and that she was never invited
to sub in on other segments of Today or take part in special events.
For what it's worth, she's maintained her sense of humor.
In January 2019, shortly after the exit deal was finalized, she tweeted,
"About to begin jury duty this morning.
Slightly concerned about the effectiveness of the 'I'm far too busy' excuse this time."
Fonda flipping the script
While reports suggest that most of Megyn Kelly's colleagues at NBC were happy to see her go,
one of her harshest critics, actress and activist Jane Fonda, actually showed a great deal of
compassion for her.
Fonda was one of the first celebrity interviews on Megyn Kelly Today, and a moment from the
chat went viral when Kelly asked Fonda about plastic surgery.
"You're not proud to admit that you've had work done, why not?"
"We really want to talk about that now?"
Fonda later told Variety that the line of questioning was "so inappropriate" and left
her "stunned" at the time, adding,
"You know, it showed that she's not that good of an interviewer."
Fonda wasn't the only party to keep the feud going, as Kelly lashed out at the actress
on air after the initial episode.
"Look, I gave her the chance to empower other women, young and old, on a subject she reports
to know well, and she rejected it.
That's okay."
However, in November 2018, just after Kelly's firing, Fonda told Entertainment Tonight,
"I feel badly, because, you know, I wanted her to make it, I did […] That's always
how everyone learns, through making mistakes.
It's through failure that we grow and learn.
I know that has been true for me, and I think it is for everybody."
Going Hollywood
Days after Megyn Kelly Today's cancellation, photos surfaced of Charlize Theron as Megyn
Kelly in Fair and Balanced, director Jay Roach's Roger Ailes biopic.
Kelly and several other female Fox News employees famously accused Ailes, the former chairman
and CEO of the network, of sexual harassment.
Us Weekly caught up with Kelly, who admitted she was "a little scared" about the film,
despite the "honor" of having Theron play her.
She explained,
"I consider that particular chapter of my life hallowed ground.
I don't want anyone misrepresenting it.
So I am hopeful that the people associated with that project — and they all seem above-board
to me — will be really respectful of the women of Fox News in telling that story."
Fun with loved ones
Getting cancelled has given Megyn Kelly plenty more time to spend with her girlfriends, and
she's enjoying every last moment of it.
To celebrate her 48th birthday in November 2018, she reportedly spent more than two hours
at lunch at a New York City cafe with her former Fox News colleague, meteorologist Janice
Dean.
The two then posed for a selfie in the snow outside.
Kelly also enjoyed a birthday weekend at a Hamptons winery with her gal pals.
Kelly has also been out on the town with her husband, writer Doug Brunt.
They took in the Broadway show Network, which stars Bryan Cranston.
The play is based on the 1976 Oscar-winning film of the same name about a news anchor
who's on the verge of losing his job because of poor ratings.
Kelly tweeted about her love of the show, declaring,
"@DougBrunt⁩ & I thoroughly enjoyed 'Network' on Broadway tonight.
@BryanCranston⁩ was brilliant, as he is in everything.
A lot of wisdom in this one."