Natalie Morales Breaks Silence on Her Relationship with Matt Lauer: Setting the Record Straight

In an exclusive, tell-all interview, former Today show anchor Natalie Morales has finally opened up about the swirling rumors surrounding her relationship with Matt Lauer, the embattled former co-anchor of NBC’s Today show. For years, speculation about their off-air dynamic has been the subject of gossip and controversy, but now, Morales is putting the rumors to rest once and for all.

The rumors about a potential romantic relationship between Morales and Lauer began almost immediately after she joined Today in 2006, with some sources claiming that the two had an on-air chemistry that extended beyond professional bounds. In the years that followed, the whispers only grew louder, with some tabloids speculating that there was more to their partnership than just a working relationship. However, with Lauer’s highly public firing in 2017 due to accusations of sexual misconduct, these rumors seemed to take on a more sinister tone.

Now, after years of silence on the matter, Morales is speaking out, revealing her side of the story and offering an inside look into the pressure and challenges she faced while working alongside Lauer at NBC.

The Power of Rumors: How the Speculation Started

In her candid interview, Morales reflects on how the rumors surrounding her relationship with Lauer began and the toll it took on both her personal and professional life. “It was something I never anticipated,” Morales admits. “When I joined Today, I was focused on doing the best job I could, working with the incredible team there. I never expected to be caught up in such gossip.”

The speculation began almost immediately after Morales was named news anchor for Today. Lauer, already a well-established anchor by that point, had a significant influence on the show’s direction, and the two quickly became known for their engaging dynamic on air. But as their professional chemistry grew, so did the rumors. Tabloids and social media quickly seized on every moment of their interaction, suggesting that their friendly rapport might be masking something more.

Morales recalls the discomfort she felt knowing that her every move was being scrutinized. “It’s a tough position to be in, especially when you’re working in an industry where perception can sometimes be more important than reality,” she says. “The constant rumors were distracting and hurtful, but I always maintained that Matt and I had a professional relationship and that any suggestion of something more was purely speculative.”

Despite her attempts to keep her personal life private and focus on her work, the rumors continued to swirl. Morales explains that it was especially frustrating because she felt like no matter what she did, the gossip wouldn’t stop. “It’s an environment where people will latch onto anything, and if you’re not careful, they can turn your relationships with colleagues into something else entirely.”

The Fallout from Lauer’s Firing

The controversy surrounding Matt Lauer came to a head in November 2017 when NBC announced that the anchor had been fired after an internal investigation revealed multiple accusations of sexual misconduct. For many, Lauer’s sudden departure raised even more questions about the Today show’s internal workings and its relationships. Morales, who had worked closely with Lauer for years, was thrust into the media spotlight once again, but this time, the focus shifted to the alleged scandal.

In her interview, Morales discusses the aftermath of Lauer’s firing and how it affected her, both professionally and emotionally. “It was shocking,” she recalls. “I don’t think any of us expected it, and it was incredibly difficult. I never saw any of those behaviors in the Matt that I worked with. But of course, it was important for everyone to focus on the victims and the truth of what happened.”

Morales acknowledges that, like many of her colleagues, she was blindsided by the allegations against Lauer. She also emphasizes the importance of the #MeToo movement and how it forced the industry to reexamine its power dynamics. However, she was quick to point out that her own relationship with Lauer was never what the rumors suggested. “It’s important for me to say that, despite what people believed or assumed, my relationship with Matt was purely professional,” Morales says. “There was nothing inappropriate, nothing romantic—just two people doing their jobs.”

Setting the Record Straight

After years of living under the shadow of these rumors, Morales is determined to set the record straight. “I’m not angry about it, but I feel like it’s important for people to know the truth,” she states. “It was a difficult time, and I felt a lot of pressure, but it’s time to move past the gossip and focus on the work we did.”

Morales admits that while the rumors and speculation were painful, they ultimately shaped the way she approached her career moving forward. “I’ve learned a lot from those years. It’s made me stronger, and it’s taught me the value of being true to myself,” she says. “I know who I am, and I know the kind of professional I am. And that’s what matters most.”

In addition to clearing up the misconceptions about her relationship with Lauer, Morales also opens up about the toll that working in a high-pressure, media-focused environment took on her. “It’s a lot of scrutiny. Every move you make, every word you say, is being analyzed. It can be draining,” she admits. “But I’ve always tried to focus on the work and the people I’m working with, rather than getting caught up in the noise around me.”

Morales continues to be a respected journalist, and her career after leaving NBC has seen continued success. She moved on to anchor Access Hollywood and now serves as a correspondent for Dateline NBC. Despite the controversies she’s faced, Morales has proven herself to be a strong, capable journalist with a commitment to telling important stories.

Moving Forward: Morales’ Future in Media

Now that she has set the record straight about her relationship with Lauer, Morales is ready to move forward and focus on what comes next in her career. She has been vocal about her desire to continue doing meaningful work, particularly in areas that highlight issues of social justice and human rights.

“It’s important for me to use my platform to tell stories that matter,” Morales says. “I want to continue to bring attention to the issues that affect people’s lives. That’s always been my passion, and it’s what I’m going to keep doing.”

While the media will no doubt continue to speculate about her past, Morales remains focused on her future. She’s ready to embrace new challenges, explore new opportunities, and continue her work as a journalist who is driven by a sense of purpose and integrity.

As for the rumors about her relationship with Matt Lauer, it’s clear that Natalie Morales is done addressing them. “I’ve said what I need to say,” she concludes. “Now, I’m ready to move on.”

Her words not only bring clarity to a long-standing mystery but also reaffirm her commitment to her craft and her belief in the power of journalism to shape the world for the better. As Morales continues to break barriers in the media industry, one thing is for sure—her integrity, professionalism, and strength will remain her greatest assets.