What Happened to Julie Chen Moonves?

Julie Chen Moonves, born Julie Suzanne Chen on January 6, 1970, has built a prominent career in American television spanning over three decades. After graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in broadcast journalism and English, she began her career with internships at CBS Morning News and a desk assistant role at ABC NewsOne in the early 1990s. She gained early on-air experience as a local news reporter for WDTN-TV in Dayton, Ohio, before returning to CBS in 1999 as an anchor for 'CBS Morning News.'

Her rise to national prominence began in 2000 when she became the host of the American version of the reality television show 'Big Brother,' a role she has maintained consistently, making her the longest-tenured host in the global franchise's history. Concurrently, she served as a co-anchor for 'The Early Show' on CBS from 2002 to 2010. In 2004, she married Leslie 'Les' Moonves, then a high-ranking executive at CBS, a relationship that would significantly impact her public and professional life.

From 2010 to 2018, Chen Moonves was a co-host and moderator of the CBS daytime talk show 'The Talk,' earning a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host in 2017. However, her career faced a pivotal moment in July 2018 when The New Yorker published an exposé detailing multiple allegations of sexual harassment and assault against her husband, Les Moonves. Chen Moonves publicly stood by her husband, addressing the allegations on 'The Talk' and stating her full support for him. In September 2018, Les Moonves resigned as chairman and CEO of CBS.

Following the scandal, Julie Chen Moonves announced her departure from 'The Talk' on September 18, 2018, citing a need to spend more time with her family. Crucially, on September 13, 2018, she began signing off 'Big Brother' episodes using her full married name, 'Julie Chen Moonves,' a public affirmation of her solidarity with her husband that garnered significant media attention. She has continued to use this name professionally since. In 2018, she also authored her first children's book, 'When I Grow Up,' dedicated to her son, Charlie.

In 2023, Chen Moonves released an audiobook titled 'But First, God: An Audio Memoir of Spiritual Discovery,' where she detailed her journey embracing Christianity in 2018 and provided further insight into her departure from 'The Talk,' stating she was told not to return to work. As of 2026, Julie Chen Moonves remains the iconic host of 'Big Brother.' The show premiered its 28th season, 'Big Brother: Time Trip,' on July 9, 2026, on CBS and Paramount+, featuring a time-travel theme and celebrating the franchise's nearly three-decade history. She attended CBSFest '26 with her 16-year-old son, Charlie, in April 2026, and continues to be a prominent figure in reality television.