A.J. Calloway (left) has been let go as the co-host of entertainment TV show ‘Extra’ following multiple allegations of sexual assault.
Calloway, who is best known as host of 106 & Park on BET, helmed Extra for 14 years until he was suspended by Warner Bros. Television executives in February.
In a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, a spokesperson for the studio explained why the decision was made to cut Calloway loose.
“The company has investigated the claims made into Mr Calloway’s conduct and he and the company have mutually agreed to part ways.”
The 44-year-old was accused of sex assaults in New York, New Jersey and California that occurred between 2003 and 2013. His lawyer said he “vehemently” denies the allegations.
Mario Lopez, who co-anchors Extra‘s weekday broadcasts, is another employee whose job is on the chopping block.
On Wednesday, Lopez quickly walked back comments he made about parents allowing their minor children to switch genders.
Lopez, 45, called the trend “weird” and “dangerous” in an interview with conservative commentator Candace Owens that aired on YouTube.com last month.
“My God if you’re three-years-old and you’re saying you’re feeling a certain way you think you’re a boy or a girl whatever the case may be… I just think it’s dangerous as a parent to make that determination then, OK well then you’re gonna be a boy or a girl,” he said.
Lopez apologized profusely after his job was reportedly threatened.
“The comments I made were ignorant and insensitive, and I now have a deeper understanding of how hurtful they were. I have been and always will be an ardent supporter of the LGBTQ community, and I am going to use this opportunity to better educate myself. Moving forward I will be more informed and thoughtful.”
Owens lashed out at “leftist bullies” who called for Lopez to be fired.
PSA: Bullying people into issuing public statements of apology so that they can keep their careers— because they state a FACT—that 3 year olds are not equipped to make life-altering decisions— is why @realDonaldTrump is your President.
Leftists are SICK.
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) July 31, 2019
Extra is one of the most popular entertainment shows in America, and airs on NBC stations. British reality TV star Mark Wright joined the program as a correspondent in 2017.
