Debra Messing, Eva Longoria and Reese Witherspoon spoke out to back Catt Sadler on the Golden Globes red carpet.
The 43-year-old presenter quit E! News last month after learning her co-host Jason Kennedy was being paid more than twice her salary, and during their interviews with the network at the event on Sunday (07.01.18), the three actresses – who were all wearing black in support of Time’s Up, an initiative to promote equality and campaign against harassment – all drew attention to the situation.
‘E! Live From the Red Carpet’ host Giuliana Rancic explained this year they were not asking the stars what they were wearing, but why they were wearing black, and Debra said: "I’m wearing black to stand in solidarity with my sisters across the globe and I’m here to celebrate the roll out of this incredible initiative, Time’s Up.
"Time is up. We want diversity. We want intersectional gender parity, we want equal pay.
"I was so shocked to hear that E! doesn’t believe in paying their female co-hosts the same as their male co-hosts. I miss Catt Sadler, and so we stand with her. And that’s something that can change tomorrow. We want people to start having this conversation that women are just as valuable as men."
The host said she agreed before turning the conversation back to the Time’s Up initiative.
Meanwhile, in a joint interview with Giuliana’s co-presenter Ryan Seacrest, Reese and Eva also criticised the issue
With Reese nodding in agreement, Eva said: "I know it’s affected your network. I know that there have been conversations that have been challenging for all of us, but I think it’s incredibly timely. It’s exciting. And parity and equality and safe work environments, they shouldn’t be controversial.
"We support gender equity and equal pay, and we hope that E! follows that lead with Catt as well. We stand with you, Catt."
Ryan replied: "We love Catt, we love her."
And after receiving messages of support on Twitter from Amy Poehler, Brie Larson and Julianne Moore, Catt said she was "immensely grateful".
She said in a statement: "I am immensely grateful for the outpouring of support today. Thank you to Amy, Debra, Eva, Brie, Julianne and so many more women using their voices on behalf of us all."
A spokesperson for the network previously insisted their staff were paid "fairly and appropriately".
They said in a statement: "E! compensates employees fairly and appropriately based on their roles, regardless of gender. We appreciate Catt Sadler’s many contributions at E! News and wish her all the best following her decision to leave the network."
Debra Messing and more back Catt Sadler
