Claudia Jordan quit the Rickey Smiley Morning Show? Yep! It’s the truth. I woke up at 3am only to find Jordan’s goodbye announcement on her facebook page. I was shocked, as I just saw Claudia in New Orleans living it up with her Rickey Smiley show family (well everyone minus Rickey). First, the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” unplanned departure and now Jordan is leaving her radio gig? This is one optimistic woman.
It was less than one year ago (July 15) when Jordan replaced Ebony Steele on the show. What’s to be said about another female co-host leaving the knee-slapping comic on his morning fun-filled radio show? Perhaps this sudden departure may have been prompted by Smiley’s recent rant he posted about 2 weeks ago on his facebook page (which he has now deleted).
Check out Rickey Smiley’s rant after the cut.
I wonder who Smiley was making reference too. We have only read of Jordan speaking praises of how blessed she was to be working. It seemed like she loved her radio career. However, this isn’t Claudia’s first time around with radio, either. Jordan was also a co-host on Jamie Foxx’s “The Foxxhole” out of Los Angeles and there was drama there, as well. However, Rickey makes mention of making radio and tv dreams come true. That could also point the finger at Ms. Porshe Williams, who is also a co-host on Rickey’s Dish Nation (tv) show.
Still, Jordan may be the fourth female to depart the show in recent years. Again, in 2014 there was Ebony Steele; then in 2013 there was Rickey Smiley’s manager Yolanda Starks Walker, a “a highly respected multi-hyphenate industry powerhouse” who managed Rickey Smiley for several years and allegedly was responsible for negotiating his radio deal for syndication with Dish Nation. But for whatever strange reason she was abruptly fired by Smiley and then sued soon after in Dallas by Rickey Smiley for her 15% she was collecting in management fees. This would have been a hefty amount of money since Smiley’s annual salary was alledged to be in the sum of $3 million at the time.
Also, there was his publicist Marvette Britto, who was brought on board at the latter part of 2014 and she is also no longer employed by Rickey Smiley.
Who’s next up to fill the shoes of Claudia Jordan? Stay tuned. In the meantime, check out Jordan’s goodbye post from Facebook after the cut.
Claudia Jordan posted the following on her facebook page at midnight entitled Official Announcement:
Hey friends and fam. I just wanted to make an announcement here for all that have been supporting me in all of my jobs, ventures and adventures. After working on The Rickey Smiley Show for a year I am moving on to more opportunities. There are a whole lot of things I want to do that will better showcase my talents, personality, intelligence and wittiness and I’m ready to pursue them! I’m grateful to Reach Media and to Mr. Smiley for giving me the opportunity which in turn helped me have a reason to be in Atlanta to be on the Real Housewives of Atlanta which was another amazing opportunity that has brought me nothing but more exposure, more checks and more opportunities in film and many other things. To those that rode with me through the storm when I was trying to adjust on the show with conflicting advice coming at me from all angles-I thank you. To my critics-I thank you also because you pushed me and motivated me to do better. I know I’m the second female co-host to depart in a year but I have total confidence that they will fill that spot with someone that will do the damn thing and be able to stay forever! I’ll miss the crew and made some real friends on the RSMS and I wish them the best.I also want to publicly say THANK YOU to Ebony Steele who was a total class act to me when I first started and has continued to check up on me and has truly shown me sisterhood despite everything. I can not wait to see her next move also. She’s talented and a radio star! But lots of things are cooking as we speak and I’ll post where you can catch me next REAL soon! XOXO CJ
I’m actually sad to see Claudia Jordan leave the Rickey Smiley morning show. I will mis her “fresh breath of air filled with honesty.” Who’s up next? What are your thoughts?
