In a surprise to many, FS1 host Joy Taylor appeared on her evening television show Speak on Monday, one day after a bombshell lawsuit revealed a number of shocking allegations regarding her personal and professional conduct. The lawsuit was first reported by Front Office Sports.
Taylor opened the show business as usual alongside her fellow cast members Keyshawn Johnson, Paul Pierce, and Michael Irvin.
“Welcome to Speak! I’m Joy Taylor here with Keyshawn Johnson, Paul Pierce, and the play maker Michael Irvin,” Taylor began as the rest of the cast displayed some noticeably nervous energy. “It’s Victory Monday for some and Vacation Monday for others,” Taylor said referring to the NFL ending its regular season on Sunday.
Joy Taylor is the subject of several serious accusations in a lawsuit filed by a former Fox Sports hairstylist. The suit alleges that Taylor made racially insensitive comments towards the plaintiff, who also alleges that the Speak host had sexual relations with a Fox Sports executive and an on-air talent at various times during her tenure as a means of advancement in her career.
Emmanuel Acho, the FS1 talent that the lawsuit alleges Taylor had a sexual relation with, also appeared on his show The Facility on Monday morning. Acho is not listed as a defendant in the suit.
Former FS1 host Skip Bayless, who is also accused of serious wrongdoing in the lawsuit, appeared on his podcast The Skip Bayless Show on Monday without mentioning the allegations.
The strategy among those implicated in the lawsuit seems to be to power through, at least for now.
In a statement to Front Office Sports, Fox Sports said, “We take these allegations seriously and have no further comment at this time given this pending litigation.”
On Monday, the attorney representing the plaintiff told Front Office Sports, “Our client looks forward to being vindicated and hopes this will compel Fox to take meaningful and substantial steps to address and resolve the toxic workplace that has impacted her and many of her colleagues.”
About Drew Lerner
Drew Lerner is a staff writer for Awful Announcing and an aspiring cable subscriber. He previously covered sports media for Sports Media Watch. Future beat writer for the Oasis reunion tour.