What happened with Megyn Kelly and the blackface comment
In October 2018, during a live discussion about Halloween costumes on NBC’s Today show, Megyn Kelly acknowledged wearing brownface to portray a character from the film The Little Mermaid and called blackface a way for kids to ‘dress up like whatever they want to be.’ The remarks, widely shared as clips and screenshots, triggered immediate criticism for minimizing the racist history of blackface. Kelly later apologized on air, called her understanding ‘insensitive,’ and NBC removed her from the program; the segment was canceled, and she exited NBC News in early 2019. This explainer focuses on what is verifiable about the comment, its professional consequences, and how the narrative has been framed in historical and ethical context.
Background context: Megyn Kelly at NBC
Megyn Kelly was a prominent anchor and special correspondent for NBC News, known for high-profile interviews and roles on Today and later for a national daytime talk show, Megyn Kelly Today, which aired on NBC until 2018. The Today show segment in question aired during a Halloween-themed discussion that included hosts and guests debating costumes, cultural sensitivity, and the line between playful dress-up and racial stereotyping. The conversation brought longstanding questions about media representation and the impact of blackface into primetime discourse.
Key claims and what is verifiable
On the Today show segment and Kelly’s statements
Social clips and transcripts show Kelly saying she had once dressed in brownface as a character from The Little Mermaid and, when asked about children dressing for Halloween, remarked that blackface was a way for kids to ‘dress up like whatever they want to be.’ Colleagues and commentators characterized these comments as dismissive of the violent legacy of blackface in the United States. NBC News publicly acknowledged the gravity of the conversation, issued internal guidance about cultural sensitivity, and took the segment off the air shortly after the backlash.
On Kelly’s apology and NBC’s response
Kelly issued on-air apologies, describing her earlier understanding as ‘insensitive’ and acknowledging that the remarks caused real harm. NBC News removed Today from its rotation and canceled Megyn Kelly Today; Kelly departed NBC in early 2019. The network stated these moves were part of broader shifts in programming and acknowledged the reputational and ethical implications of the controversy. Several sponsors reassessed their placements amid increased audience and watchdog attention.
Professional timeline and key outcomes
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Late October 2018 | Today show segment on Halloween costumes airs | Brings the conversation about blackface into primetime |
| October–November 2018 | Widespread clip sharing and public criticism | Amplifies scrutiny and frames the story as a racial harm issue |
| November 2018 | NBC removes Today from rotation; cancels Megyn Kelly Today | Signals organizational reassessment of responsibility and brand risk |
| November–December 2018 | Kelly issues on-air apologies, calls her understanding ‘insensitive’ | Represents public accountability, though critics argue it was reactive |
| Early 2019 | Megyn Kelly departs NBC News | Ends her tenure at the network amid ongoing reputational and business consequences |
Definitions and background on blackface
Blackface is a performance practice in which non-Black individuals darken their skin to caricature Black people, rooted in 19th-century minstrel shows that systematically mocked and dehumanized Black Americans. The practice has long been widely condemned as a symbol of racism, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and contributing to systemic discrimination. In modern discourse, blackface is treated as a serious ethical and historical violation, not a neutral or harmless costume choice. These norms shape journalistic standards around cultural representation and explain why the conversation about Kelly’s comments resonated so strongly.
Media’s role and public accountability
Journalistic ethics and on-air consequences
Media organizations increasingly emphasize training on cultural competence and the history of racial harm, partly in response to high-profile missteps. For on-air personalities, comments that minimize racism can damage audience trust and advertiser confidence. The Kelly case illustrates how swiftly a segment can be pulled and how careers can be affected when hosts appear to disregard lived experiences of harm. It also prompted other anchors and outlets to revisit internal guidelines and to communicate more clearly about acceptable content.
Audience response and advertiser impact
Audience backlash came quickly, with widespread clip distribution on social platforms and calls for accountability. Advertisers reassessed their placements, and some brands paused spending on The Today Show amid sensitivity to brand safety. The conversation extended beyond a single segment to broader questions about diversity in newsrooms, editorial oversight, and how hosts are supported in understanding cultural context.
Broader implications and lessons
The Megyn Kelly blackface comment is often cited in discussions about media responsibility, racial literacy, and reputational risk. It underscores the importance of historical awareness in everyday professional decisions and the need for clear organizational standards. For public figures, acknowledging harm quickly, explaining corrective actions, and committing to ongoing learning can help rebuild trust, though substantive change depends on demonstrable behavior over time. Newsrooms and hosts continue to navigate how to discuss sensitive topics without causing further harm.
Recap and forward-looking perspective
What began as a Halloween conversation on Today in 2018 evolved into a defining case study in media ethics and racial sensitivity. Verified details include the segment’s content, on-air apologies, NBC’s cancellation of the show, and Kelly’s departure from the network in early 2019. The episode reflects enduring tensions between free expression, professional responsibility, and the real-world impact of racial stereotypes. Going forward, the episode serves as a reference point for evaluating how news organizations address on-air harm, update training, and communicate with audiences about accountability.
Frequently asked questions
- What exactly did Megyn Kelly say about blackface?
- When did the Today show segment air and when did the controversy peak?
- How did NBC respond and what happened to Megyn Kelly’s role at the network?
- Why does this case matter for media ethics and cultural sensitivity training?
- What lessons have persisted in how newsrooms handle on-air missteps involving race?