After working as an E! News host for more than a decade, Catt Sadler has quit due to what she claims to be an exorbitant wage gap between her and her male co-host.
Writing on her personal website, The Cattwalk, Sadler told readers how she made the decision after her request to be paid the equivalent salary to her male counterpart was "repeatedly denied". According to People, the male co-host that the 43-year-old was referring to was Jason Kennedy.
"Information is power. Or it should be. We are living in a new era," Sadler, a single mother to two boys, wrote in the lengthy post. "The gender pay gap is shrinking, although admittedly we have a long way to go. And well, I learned this first hand. My team and I asked for what I know I deserve and were denied repeatedly."
"How can I operate with integrity and stay on at E! if they're not willing to pay me the same as him? Or at least come close? How can I accept an offer that shows that they do not value my contribution and paralleled dedication all these years? How can I not echo the actions of my heroes and stand for what is right no matter what the cost? How can I remain silent when my rights under the law have been violated?"
Why I left @e_entertainment... in my own words. https://t.co/mqN3w46MYk??? catt sadler (@IAmCattSadler) December 20, 2017
Detailing her full schedule this year, having balanced her E! News hosting duties as well as a new spin-off daytime series, Daily Pop, Sadler described 2017 as "creatively challenging but genuinely one of the most fulfilling years of my professional career".
However, discovering the reported wage disparity from an E! executive made Sadler re-evaluate her future at the network.
"When E! reached out to renew and extend my deal, [Kennedy] wasn't just making a little more than I was. In fact he was making close to double my salary for the past several years."
Representatives for E! sent People a statement, "E! compensates employees fairly and appropriately based on their roles, regardless of gender. We appreciate Catt Sadler's many contributions at E! News and wish her all the best following her decision to leave the network."
Sadler said all the women who have been speaking out and shaking up Hollywood power structures also inspired her to quit her position.
"Countless brave women have come forward this year to speak their truth," she said. "Females refuse to remain silent on issues that matter most because without our voices, how will we invoke lasting change? The way I see it, I have an obligation to be an agent for change."
Actor Jennifer Lawrence, who has spoken out about gender pay disparity, tweeted her support for Sadler.
"Thank you Catt for sharing your story," Lawrence wrote on Facebook and shared the letter.
WOW this is so disappointing. When are companies like @e_entertainment going to understand that women should be paid fairly. 1/2 of her male counterpart is not appropriate. https://t.co/n2zrpTK8XE??? Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) December 20, 2017
