
Radio personality?Rickey Smiley released the following statement regarding Steele’s departure, stating;
After 7 years with ?The Rickey Smiley Morning Show,? our girl Ebony Steele is moving on. We?ll miss her wit, charm and funny personality, and we thank her so much for everything she brought to the show. She will always be part of my radio family.
If you are a fan of the show, I’m sure you noticed that Ebony had been pretty much ‘replaced’ over the past few weeks with guest appearances from dayum near everyone in Atlanta.
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Phaedra Parks of The Real Housewives of sat in on the show for a week followed by Porsha Williams, who took the spot for hot minute as well.
Many had speculated that Steele was out but no one knows what prompted her departure. Whatever the case, it’s official and she’s been replaced by none other than model Claudia Jordan.
Details below…
Rodney Ho of The AJC was first to break the news of Steele’s departure, stating:
Three sources have told me that Ebony Steele is officially off the syndicated Atlanta-based Rickey Smiley Morning Show after seven years.
Why is she out? Two sources said Steele is not sure what happened and had not directly heard an explanation from Smiley.
Steele did not respond to a text and a call requesting a comment. A couple of days ago, she told me that the whole situation was ?interesting? but she had no negative feelings toward anybody.
Her replacement will be model and actress Claudia Jordan, I?m told by two sources. I hear Jordan starts Monday.
Steele released her own statement regarding her leaving the popular morning show, stating:
I will be leaving ?The Rickey Smiley Morning Show? as of today. I feel so blessed to have been part of such a special family for 7 great years and have so enjoyed radio, TV, and my association with Reach Media, and Radio One.
Here?s a hint on what?s next! I am going to do something that I have always wanted to do and it involves expanding my entrepreneurial interests. I?ve always taught females that at some point in their lives they have to spread their wings take a risk on faith and grow. No matter what! Now it is my turn to lead by example. It is equally exciting that I am likely going to be able to pursue my dreams right within the same radio family? It is my vision that my new endeavors will allow me continued contact with you, my loyal fans? Stay tuned and stay in touch.
In the meantime, Claudia Jordan just came up with a brand new job in the A! ?She and Rickey Smiley shared a photo of their new partnership online:
Jordan was a model on NBC?s ?Deal or No Deal? and appeared on two seasons of ?Celebrity Apprentice? now she’ll be heard nationwide on Rickey Smiley Morning Show.