EXCLUSIVE: @EbonySteele Speaks Out About Leaving the Rickey Smiley Morning Show

By: Jasmine York, contributing writer

The announcement of Ebony Steele leaving the Rickey Smiley Morning Show came as a huge surprise following her seven year run as our “Favorite Girlfriend” on one of the most talked about radio shows in the nation. Shortly after her departure, many speculations of her getting booted and replaced flooded the web.

 
To help clear the air, we reached out to Ebony Steele, who didn’t mind enlightening us on what happened and how she’s moving forward. Here’s what she had to say…

We know you had a long run on the Rickey Smiley Morning Show and have made quite a name for yourself. Is there any truth behind the rumors of you being let go?

“Leading up to the time where my contract was supposed to get renewed, I knew this time there was something different… but I’ll always do radio, you know? Now it’s just on my own timeline and how I want to do it now and so it’s a great feeling… and it’s hurtful sometimes especially when you’re used to certain things being a certain kind of way, but everybody has to grow.”

What are you up to now? Do you have your hands tied in any new projects?

“Yes, I’m working on a project that I can’t speak on right now… It’s given me more time with my family. Plus, with my dance studio in Birmingham, I’m able to go back and forth now. This past weekend I was in D.C, the week before that Chicago, next week L.A, after that New York, you know? But, I would not be able to do that if I was confined to a radio or tv studio and right now, this is great for me.”

Is there anything you’d like your followers, your fan-base to know about you or anything else you’d like to share with them?

“Yeah. I mean, even when I began in radio, it was amazing to me that people cared about what I had to say or what I thought because I was just being myself. And the fact that I’m no longer with this particular entity in radio in regards to the show I was on with Dish Nation, it amazes me that my fan-base is still loyal and still looks for me. And it brings tears to my eyes everyday when I read the tweets or just how people reach out to me and wonder what I’m doing. So I just want them to know that I’m fine, you will still see me, and the love is definitely reciprocated. Big air hugs to everybody.”

To stay updated on Ebony’s new projects, visit her website at www.EbonySteele.com or follow her on Twitter/IG @EbonySteele !