Julie Chen Moonves Reveals Spiritual Journey Amid Ouster from ‘The Talk’ and Husband’s Scandal

Julie Chen Moonves, renowned television host and wife of former CBS chief Leslie Moonves, has opened up about her spiritual journey in a newly released audiobook, “But First, God: An Audio Memoir of Spiritual Discovery,” where she reflects on her faith amidst trying times.

Chen Moonves, 53, shares that her path towards spiritual discovery began in September 2018, a month marked by her husband’s resignation from CBS amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Leslie Moonves, 73, had denied the allegations made by multiple women, and Chen Moonves believes that his opposition to a merger with sibling media company Viacom made him a target.

During this tumultuous period, Chen Moonves also faced her own professional challenges. Nine days after her husband’s resignation, she announced her departure as the moderator of “The Talk,” a daytime program on CBS that she had hosted since its premiere in 2009.

In the audiobook, she acknowledges the impact of these events, saying, “In short: yes, I was collateral damage.” While a spokesperson for CBS declined to comment, Chen Moonves continues to host the network’s long-running reality competition, “Big Brother.”

Chen Moonves shares that the day before the 2018 season premiere of “Big Brother,” she received a phone call that left her stunned. “I was told with my name and my husband’s name being in the headlines and all this chaos, two of my co-hosts called the powers at CBS and said, ‘If Julie shows up to work tomorrow, we’re not coming in.’ So I was basically told, please don’t come back to work anymore at ‘The Talk.'”

Reflecting on those challenging times, Chen Moonves expresses a range of emotions, including anger, feeling robbed and wronged. However, she eventually found a path to forgiveness and healing, emphasizing how her faith played a crucial role in this process.

“Leaving my job at ‘The Talk’ really gutted me. It gutted my sense of self,” she admits. “I felt like so many people that I loved and trusted or thought were friends…wow, they did me so dirty.”

Chen Moonves explains that her newfound faith in God helped her heal and forgive her former colleagues. She notes, “I’m happy to report that since that tough day, I have talked to both of these people, and truly all is forgiven.”

Describing her spiritual transformation, Chen Moonves reveals that she began attending church in 2018 and received her first Bible at the age of 48. In 2020, she made the decision to be baptized, marking herself as “a born-again Christian.”

She offers a message of hope and redemption, saying, “I am living proof that it is never too late to start a relationship with God. I was almost 50, a journalist, jaded, full of pride, ego, and vanity. No matter what you’ve been through, God is right there next to you.”

Julie Chen Moonves’ audiobook, “But First, God: An Audio Memoir of Spiritual Discovery,” provides a candid glimpse into her personal and spiritual journey through challenging times and newfound faith.