Celebrity Big Brother host Julie Chen knew exactly what she was doing when she hinted that her “Asian sister” Carrie Ann Inaba should be her co-host replacement on The Talk following her September 2018 departure from the show. The 51-year-old Dancing With the Stars judge was so happy to be considered for the gig that she accepted it immediately and said that she was so “fortunate to sit at the table” alongside Sharon Osbourne, Eve, Sheryl Underwood, and the show’s creator, Sara Gilbert. 

And, in an exclusive new interview with Closer Weekly, Sheryl gushed about having Carrie Ann as her new co-host. “Carrie Ann Inaba brings something to the table that I think keeps us moving and grooving,” the 55-year-old star said while promoting Metamucil’s Two-Week Challenge as part of her new partnership with the brand. 

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Thank you all for the incredible support and love you’ve sent my way over the last few days, with the New Year, the new position at @thetalkcbs, and for my birthday. To say I’m deeply humbled and touched just doesn’t seem to express enough of the gratitude I feel in my heart. This year, even though we are only six days in is something out of a fairytale. My dream really has come true, to be on a talk show is something I’ve been working towards for a long time… hoping I would have the opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences and learn and grow though the interactions and discourse with others whom I respect and admire. I faced many setbacks along the way, but I didn’t give up my dream, nor did I stop trying to improve. I invested in myself, listened to those who had advice to share, followed my heart, and worked very hard. And then the universe and powers that be gave me the chance. And I’m grateful and I intend to show up and stay open to learn and grow and let compassion and understanding lead me. Life really is an incredible journey. And I look forward to this new chapter with all of you. And I want to thank each and everyone of you who took a moment to write to me and congratulate me or wish me well or say Happy Birthday. I feel the love! And I am thankful for you. This is a photo of me in my new dressing room at The Talk. Ready… and excited for 2019 and all that comes with it! 😘❤️✨🙏🏻🙌🏻🥳🧘🏻‍♀️😊 And I want to thank my team, @nicoleperezkrueger @rhondaspiesstylist @marylinmakeup @stevegberg for always believing in me and helping me put my best foot forward. We all showed up. And I did this with them. We did it together. And I am lucky to have the support of these talented and special people. 🙏

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“Carrie Ann Inaba fits in very, very well,” Sheryl told Closer. “I think culturally to have that type of diversity on CBS on The Talk, I think we are the most diverse panel of talk show hosts.” The comedian added that each co-host who has joined the series over the years has brought something very different to the popular daytime show. 

“Our show evolves really, really well. When Eve came it was just a wonderful, wonderful addition to our show when you’re talking about the hip-hop game because I don’t know of any other panel show that has that with Eve and she’s young,” she said. Sheryl also described her co-host Sharon as the “British eccentric” and said she loves getting to work with Sara because she created the show.

In addition to Julie, one person that Sheryl confessed she misses working with is Aisha Tyler, who appeared on The Talk for six years before exiting the show in 2017. “We were both funny, we both had a lot of respect for each other. She was doing some things that we didn’t see other black females do so it was a joy to work with her,” she gushed about her friend.

Now, Sheryl is just focused on living a healthier lifestyle by incorporating Metamucil — a Psyllium fiber supplement that promotes regularity — into her diet. “Metamucil keeps me moving and grooving,” she shared. “I’m staying woke, and regular, and healthy!”

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