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Chloe Melas

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Chloe Elizabeth Melas
Melas in 2024
Alma materAuburn University
OccupationJournalist
EmployerNBC News
SpouseBrian Mazza
Children2

Chloe Elizabeth Melas[1] is an American journalist currently serving as an entertainment correspondent for NBC.[2] She was previously a reporter for CNN from 2016 to 2023. Prior to her time at CNN, she was the senior entertainment reporter for Hollywood Life and the host of VH1's morning TV show The Gossip Table. In 2018, she accused Morgan Freeman of sexual misconduct, but the allegations were widely scrutinized. Warner Bros. investigated and found the claims unsubstantiated,[3] while public video footage of the interaction did not support her account.[4] Additionally, individuals cited in Melas' report, including Tyra Martin and Lori McCreary, stated their remarks were misrepresented,[5] and Martin clarified she “never felt uncomfortable or in danger” around Freeman.[6] A SAG-AFTRA investigation found no incidents of concern, allowing Freeman to retain his SAG Life Achievement Award.[7]

Education

[edit]

Melas graduated from Auburn University in 2008 with a degree in radio, television and film.[8]

Journalism career

[edit]

Melas began her career at CNN as a news assistant. She left in 2009 after meeting editor Bonnie Fuller, helping her launch Hollywood Life. Melas eventually became the site's senior entertainment reporter. In 2010, she hosted her own weekend entertainment segment on New York City's WNYW television station. In 2011, she also became the host of Penske Media Corporation's ENTV, where she filmed spots for ION, Yahoo!, and Vodafone.

In 2013, Melas became one of the hosts of VH1's morning show The Gossip Table.[9][10][11] The show ran for four seasons until it was cancelled in September 2015.[12]

In 2014, Melas joined the New York City television station WPIX as its weekly Hot List contributor,[13] where she discussed the biggest entertainment news of the week every Friday morning.[14][15] Melas has been a contributor on Fox & Friends, HLN, The Wendy Williams Show,[16] The Insider, The Today Show, and elsewhere.

In 2015, Melas became the brand ambassador for women's clothing line Maggy London.[17][18]

In 2023, Melas published her late grandfather's WWII memoir, Luck of the Draw which became a New York Times bestseller in its first week.[19]

On August 16, 2023, Melas announced that she had left CNN and was joining NBC.[2]

Reporting on Morgan Freeman

[edit]

In 2017, Melas covered a publicity event for the film Going in Style, starring Morgan Freeman. Melas claimed that Freeman made several inappropriate remarks to her. She reported this to CNN, which informed a third-party investigation division via the Warner Brothers human resources department; Time Warner could not corroborate her account and CNN's own HR department which investigated her complaint found that it was "not supported by the facts".[20] Melas "heard rumblings about Mr. Freeman's behavior with other women" and decided to pursue the story.[21]

On May 24, 2018, Melas and CNN media and entertainment deputy editor An Phung reported that eight people said they had experienced harassment or inappropriate behavior from Freeman.[22] Subsequently, Melas said on air that she was sexually harassed by Freeman and showed a clip of him alongside co-stars Michael Caine and Alan Arkin. She said Freeman's comment, "Boy, do I wish I was there", was directed at her; he said it was made in response to a story Caine was telling.[23] Freeman responded in a statement the same day, "Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows I am not someone who would intentionally offend or knowingly make anyone feel uneasy. I apologize to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected — that was never my intent."[22] Tyra Martin, who was named in Melas' report, later said that she should not have been:[23] "I'm sorry for anyone who's had an unfortunate experience or feels harassed or assaulted. That wasn't my experience with Morgan Freeman."[24]

Following continued news coverage, Freeman's attorney wrote to CNN president Jeff Zucker asking for a retraction and apology, saying the reporting was false and lacked editorial control due to one of the reporters, Melas, herself being an alleged victim;[23] they said she induced the alleged witnesses to make claims.[25] CNN said those claims were unfounded and stood by its reporting, saying they would continue covering the story.[26][27][25] Melas received death threats following her reporting on Freeman according to CNN's General Counsel, David Vigilante.[28]

Personal life

[edit]

In late 2012, Melas met New York City restaurateur Brian Mazza.[29] They were married in New York City on October 25, 2014.[30] In 2017, the couple had a son,[31] a second son was born in July 2019. Both children were conceived with the use of in vitro fertilisation due to a diagnosis of poor ovarian reserve and low sperm count.[32]

Melas is also the granddaughter of famous navigator of the 100th Bomb Group: Frank Murphy. She wrote the foreword of his published book, Luck of the Draw.[33] He is portrayed in Spielberg's Masters of the Air.[34]

Melas has ulcerative colitis.[35]

References

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  1. ^ "My Auburn Story: Chloe Melas". YouTube. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 2018-09-19.
  2. ^ a b Weprin, Alex (17 August 2023). "Chloe Melas Joins NBC News as an Entertainment Correspondent". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Warner Bros. could not corroborate Melas' account of harassment claims against Morgan Freeman". The New York Times. May 26, 2018.
  4. ^ "Chloe Melas blasted after sexual harassment claim against Morgan Freeman". May 26, 2018.
  5. ^ "Morgan Freeman's Lawyers Call on CNN to Retract Article". May 29, 2018.
  6. ^ "CNN reporter who accused Morgan Freeman receiving threats". May 31, 2018.
  7. ^ "Morgan Freeman to keep SAG Lifetime Achievement Award". Fox News. June 1, 2018.
  8. ^ "Alumni Spotlight: Chloe Melas, '08, Senior Entertainment Reporter". Auburn University. n.d. Archived from the original on May 22, 2015. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  9. ^ "Meet Chloe Melas, Living The Hollywood Life In New York". VH1 News. Retrieved 2016-02-29.
  10. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (4 September 2013). "VH1 Launches Morning Block With 'Big Morning Buzz Live' & 'The Gossip Table'". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  11. ^ "News' Marianne Garvey stars on VH1's 'The Gossip Table'". NY Daily News. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  12. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (25 August 2015). "'Big Morning Buzz Live' & 'The Gossip Table' Cancelled In VH1 Morning Shakeup". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  13. ^ "chloe melas | Search Results | New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV". pix11.com. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  14. ^ "Tribune Media | PIX11 Announces Content Partnership with HollywoodLife.com". www.tribunemedia.com. Archived from the original on 2017-09-16. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  15. ^ "WPIX Partnering With Bonnie Fuller's Entertainment Site". www.adweek.com. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  16. ^ "chloe melas | The Wendy Williams Show". The Wendy Williams Show. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  17. ^ London, Maggy. "Meet Our New Brand Ambassador Chloe Melas". blog.maggylondon.com. Archived from the original on 2015-03-02. Retrieved 2016-02-29.
  18. ^ "Maggy London Taps Chloe Melas As International Brand Ambassador". Daily Front Row. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 2016-02-29.
  19. ^ Johnson, Ted (17 August 2023). "Chloe Melas Joins NBC News After Departure From CNN". Deadline. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  20. ^ "Today Show". NBC Today Show. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  21. ^ Deb, Sopan (May 26, 2018). "She Went to Interview Morgan Freeman. Her Story Became Much Bigger". New York Times. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  22. ^ a b Phung, An; Melas, Chloe (May 24, 2018). "Women accuse Morgan Freeman of inappropriate behavior, harassment". CNN. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  23. ^ a b c "New York Times. "Morgan Freeman's Team Demands Retraction From CNN Over Sexual Harassment Report". Sopan Deb. May 29, 2018". The New York Times.
  24. ^ "Morgan Freeman Fights Back Against CNN Report About Harassment Allegations | TODAY". May 30, 2018 – via YouTube.
  25. ^ a b Strause, Jackie (May 29, 2018). "Morgan Freeman's Lawyer Demands CNN Retract Sexual Harassment Story". The Hollywood Reporter.
  26. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 29, 2018). "Morgan Freeman's Attorney Wants Retraction From CNN After Sex Harass Exposé". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  27. ^ de Moraes, Lisa (May 29, 2018). "CNN Fires Back At Morgan Freeman Demand For Retraction, Stands By Report; His Lawyer Responds – Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  28. ^ Brett, Jennifer (June 1, 2018). "CNN: Reporter who accused Morgan Freeman is getting death threats". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  29. ^ Melas, Chloe (May 22, 2014). "Real Engagement Story: How Entertainment Reporter Chloe Melas Finally Met Her Perfect Match". Brides. Archived from the original on May 27, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  30. ^ Mackey, Jaimie (January 5, 2015). "Chloe Melas and Brian Mazza New York City Wedding at Capitale". Brides. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  31. ^ Melas, Chloe [@Chloe_Melas] (July 4, 2017). "What a whirlwind past few days!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 29, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2018 – via Twitter. Proud to introduce baby Leo DeSales Mazza born 7/3...
  32. ^ Juneau, Jen; Mizoguchi, Karen (December 26, 2018). "Baby Boy on the Way for CNN's Chloe Melas After IVF Journey: 'I've Been Through Hell and Back'". People. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  33. ^ "Luck of the Draw".
  34. ^ Nicolaou, Elena (2024-03-01). "NBC's Chloe Melas talks to actor playing her grandpa in WWII drama 'Masters of the Air'". Today. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  35. ^ Vasquez, Ingrid (January 4, 2024). "NBC's Chloe Melas Says She Was 'Completely in Denial' After Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis". People. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
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