Matt Lauer Update: Former 'Today' Host Reveals NBC Anchor's Actions Affected Her Career

In the two years since Matt Lauer's Nov. 29, 2017 firing from "Today" a lot of new information has come to light, including a rape allegation and other details that were included in Ronan Farrow's 2019 book, "Catch and Kill." Now, a former coworker is revealing that they stayed on the morning show longer than they wanted due to what was going on behind the scenes at NBC during that time.

According to Popculture.com, Kathie Lee Gifford revealed that she had planned to leave the show she cohosted with Hoda Kotb years before she actually vacated her position. In a recent interview with the publication, Gifford shared how Lauer's actions affected her decision to leave.

"I planned this exit from the 'Today Show' a couple of years in advance. And then all kinds of things kept happening at the 'Today Show,' things that we don't need to talk about, but sad," she said.

Continuing, she added, "And they kept asking me, 'Kathie, will you stay, will you stay?' Until I finally said, 'I've already committed to these movies I'm doing, guys, and these recording things. I can't anymore.'"

READ: Matt Lauer Update: Ann Curry Could 'Destroy' Former Host By Breaking 'Dignified Silence'

Gifford is not the only person associated with NBC who has reportedly expressed opinions regarding Lauer's actions. Not only has Kotb allegedly "ghosted" him following the accusations, but Katie Couric, who served as his "Today" co-star for nine years, is also working on a tell-all that is said to have him "paralyzed with fear."

As for the things going on behind the scenes, Farrow's book also alleges that NBC protected Lauer during the aforementioned time period, which can be tracked through a "paper trail."

However, Gifford told the publication that she is enjoying her new post-hosting life, as she said she had been waiting her "whole life to do this kind of work."

Most recently, she received a lifetime achivement award by the Nashville Pops Orchestra that cited her work in music, movies, and charity work. During the presentation at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, her "voluminous accomplishments with focus on the difference she has made in the lives of others and making the world a better place" were specifically noted, reports Page Six.