Laverne Cox Appears To Abruptly Exit E!'s Red Carpet Coverage Days Before The Golden Globes

Just days before the 2025 Golden Globes, Laverne Cox announced her departure from her role as host of E! 's live red carpet coverage after three successful years as the network's go-to face of awards season.

Cox, known for her signature question to A-listers, "What story are you telling with your outfit tonight?" and her show-stopping appearances in rare and vintage couture gowns, brought charisma and authenticity to every red carpet moment.

Having stepped into the role in 2021, replacing longtime host Giuliana Rancic, Laverne Cox quickly became a fan favorite for her warmth, wit, and deep appreciation for fashion and celebrity culture.

On Friday, January 3, Laverne Cox revealed she's stepping down from her role as host of E! 's live red carpet coverage after three years as one of the most recognizable faces of awards season broadcasting.

"With an incredible amount of gratitude I've decided not to return as host of # LiveFromE's red carpet coverage," Cox began in her Instagram post, which included a reel of memorable moments from over the years. "I'm so incredibly proud of the work we did over my three year tenure. I'd like to express my sincere thanks to everyone at @nbcuniversal, @eentertainment and @denofthievestv for your incredible support."

She continued, "These moments are a reminder to me of what an incredible privilege it has been to talk to some of the world's greatest artists about their work, navigating the pressures of success, etc."

Cox teased some upcoming projects she has in the works as she told her fans she is looking forward to "keep growing, evolving and exploring great opportunities as an actress, artist, host and speaker."

"I hope you'll all continue to go with me on my evolving journey," she added. "Tune into my new comedy series 'Clean Slate' premiering on Amazon Prime February 6."

With this announcement coming just two days before the Golden Globes, many fans found her exit pretty abrupt.

According to E!, Laverne Cox will not be present on the Golden Globes red carpet this Sunday. Instead, "Access Hollywood" star Zuri Hall and comedian Heather McMahan will take over, conducting live interviews with nominees and attendees throughout the evening.

Others, however, couldn't help but flood the comments section with gratitude. "You're simply amazing, spectacular. You have such an innate ability to connect and make others feel comfortable," one user wrote. "Congrats on your next journey."

"Award season is not going to be the same," another admitted.

"You were so uniquely qualified for this!" a third commented. "You came, you served, and you left us wanting more. Well done darling!"

"Seeing you do this role means so much," someone else expressed. "Onto the next milestones. thank you for making e! relevant again no shade."

Another Instagram user wrote, "What an epic ride! You did tf outta this gig with all of the beauty, fun, class and PREPARATION!!! Brava and thank you for inviting me to showcase my talent and our mutual love of glamour and epic moments on the world's stage. Here's to more stunning red carpets with you on the other side of the microphone."

The Emmy-nominated actress is set to star in Prime Video's upcoming comedy series, "Clean Slate."

The show centers around Cox's character, Desiree Slate, who returns to her hometown of Mobile, Alabama, years after leaving for New York City as a teenager.

Her goal is to reconnect with her father, Harry Slate (played by George Wallace), an outspoken carwash owner. However, after receiving an email from his estranged child, Harry was expecting a son to show up on his doorstep—not his daughter.

"After being away for 23 years and, she says in the pilot, being in really dysfunctional relationships with men, she realizes that she has to go back to the source of the first unavailable man in her life, and that's her father," Cox told Entertainment Weekly, teasing that "we discover throughout the series that there are other reasons why she's come back home, as well."

This year's Golden Globes film nominees offer an especially diverse lineup, partly due to the disrupted release schedule following 2023's dual Hollywood strikes and a revamped voting body.

Despite the shakeup, the star power remains undeniable, with Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, Timothée Chalamet, and Zendaya set to light up the red carpet.

Top contenders like "Brutalist" and "Conclave" will face off in the Best Drama category, while "Anora" and "Wicked" go head-to-head with "Emilia Pérez"—which leads the pack with 10 nominations—in the Best Musical/Comedy race.

Sunday's 82nd Golden Globe Awards will air on CBS at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST and stream live on Paramount+ with Showtime.