Long-time ‘Extra’ TV host A.J. Calloway out following more sexual assault accusations
A.J. Calloway has been a host with TV’s syndicated newsmagazine “Extra” for the last 14 years, beginning his tenure back in 2005. Several times since then, Calloway has been accused of rape and sexual assault. Yesterday, it was widely reported that Calloway and Warner Bros. – who distributes “Extra” – have parted company.
In a statement released yesterday [July 31], Warner Bros said: “The company has investigated the claims made into Mr Calloway’s conduct and he and the company have mutually agreed to part ways.” ~ The Hollywood Reporter
Calloway was part of the on-air personality crew of “Extra” co-hosts that included Tanika Ray, Renee Bargh and British correspondent Mark Wright along with the Emmy Award winning show’s primary host Mario Lopez.
In 2006, Calloway was arrested after author and activist Sil Lai Abrams accused him of sexually assaulting her; but those charges were dropped, according to Variety.
But at the beginning of 2019, two other women came forward with renewed allegations of sexual assault against the “Extra” host. In February, Calloway released a statement in which he said, “As I have maintained from the beginning, these allegations are not true. When I was first notified about these allegations by law enforcement more than a decade ago, I fully cooperated from the beginning and the case was dismissed.”
Between 2003 and 2013, Calloway had been accused of sexual assaults in New York, New Jersey and California, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The BBC shared a statement from Calloway’s attorney Lisa E Daviswho who said, following his February suspension from “Extra” that, “Mr Calloway maintains that these unsubstantiated allegations are patently false. He vehemently denies that he ever assaulted anyone and looks forward to clearing his name.”
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, one of Calloway’s accusers appeared to be relieved that Warner Bros. has finally taken some action against their former “Extra” host. Sil Lai Abrams said that:
“It shouldn’t have taken various news stories and the trickling out of six different accusations of rape and sexual assault by Mr. Calloway over a year and a half for the company to take a stand…”
Abrams added, “Though it took to longer than it should have, the investigation apparently came to the right conclusion. If survivors have the strength to fight, know that there is value in staying the course.”
~ Written by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
