Carrie Ann Inaba departs 'The Talk' after 3 seasons

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Carrie Ann Inaba is stepping down from her role on “The Talk.”

The famed choreographer, 53, has served as a permanent co-host of the show since Jan. 2019 after serving as a guest co-host for over a year. She has been on leave since April.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at The Talk as co-host and moderator and I am very grateful for the opportunity I had to grow with the entire Talk family as well as truly connect with viewers on such a personal level,” Inaba said in a statement obtained by Fox News. “I will miss my friends and family at The Talk, but I am excited for the next chapter both for myself and for the show.”

Inaba has been on leave since April to focus on her “wellbeing,” as she said in a video message at the time.

Carrie Ann Inaba has announced that she will depart ‘The Talk’ after three seasons as a co-host.
(Photo by Tommaso Boddi/WireImage)

She didn’t offer up any details about her leave at the time, but she has struggled with Sjögren’s Syndrome, fibromyalgia, Lupus and more in the past and has openly discussed how such conditions make it difficult to work.

It’s unclear whether her conditions or her leave of absence have anything to do with her departure, but Deadline reports that the decision to step away was a mutual one made between Inaba and CBS.

“The Talk” executive producers Heather Gray and Kristin Matthews also offered a statement to Fox News on the dancer’s departure.

“Carrie Ann’s authenticity and openness created a special connection and relationship with our audience. We will always be grateful for her contributions here at ‘The Talk’ over the last 3 seasons,” they said. “Her warmth, wisdom and vulnerability are just a few of her many admirable traits that will be missed.  We wish her much success and good health going forward.”

Carrie Ann Inaba (second from left) most recently served as a co-host alongside Elaine Wentworth (left), Sharon Osbourne (center), Sheryl Underwood (second from right) and Amanda Kloots (right). Osbourne also recently exited.
(Photo by Randee St. Nicholas/CBS via Getty Images)

Just days ago, Page Six reported that Inaba would not return and claimed that “The Talk” was looking to fill her seat with a male co-host. No official announcement about who will replace the dancer – if anyone – has been made.

Inaba’s departure comes a few months after her fellow co-host, Sharon Osbourne, left the show. Osbourne, who exited “The Talk” following a heated exchange between her and co-host Sheryl Underwood, was replaced by Jerry O’Connell.

Also known as a judge on “Dancing with the Stars,” Inaba has earned two Primetime Emmy nominations for her work on the dancing competition show and two Daytime Emmy nominations for her work on “The Talk.” Her career began in the 1990s as a Fly Girl on “In Living Color.”

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