Former Today Show producer Brooke Nevils has shared her experiences working at NBC. She grew up in St. Louis, watching the show and feeling a connection to its famous hosts, like Matt Lauer and Katie Couric. After studying journalism, she joined NBC and helped cover the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
In Sochi, Nevils was primarily a talent assistant. She recalls a night when Lauer joined her and other colleagues in a bar. After their celebration, Lauer invited her to his hotel room, where she claims he sexually assaulted her. They later had more sexual encounters in New York. In a statement, Lauer said their interactions were “mutual and consensual.”
Initially, Nevils did not report the incident due to fear for her career. However, as the #MeToo movement gained attention, she eventually reported the incident to NBC’s human resources. This led to Lauer’s firing in late 2017.
In her new memoir, Unspeakable Things: Silence, Shame, and the Stories We Choose to Believe, Nevils discusses the impact of her experiences. She expresses concern for her children’s future regarding her story but believes it is important to prepare them for life’s challenges. Nevils aims to share her truth and help others in similar situations.
Vocabulary List:
- Producer /prəˈdjuː.sər/ (noun): A person responsible for overseeing the production of a show or broadcast.
- Assaulted /əˈsɔːltɪd/ (verb): To attack someone physically or sexually.
- Consensual /kənˈsenʃuəl/ (adjective): Agreed to by all parties involved; mutual.
- Fear /fɪər/ (noun): An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous.
- Impact /ˈɪmpækt/ (noun): The strong effect or influence that something has on a situation or person.
- Movement /ˈmuːv.mənt/ (noun): A group of people working together to advance their shared ideas.
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