Celebrity News:After being outshined by Amazon’s rising star Kaylee Hartung, Erin Andrews’ longtime FOX bestie Charissa Thompson finally breaks her silence on the award Snb…See More details.

Celebrity News:After being outshined by Amazon’s rising star Kaylee Hartung, Erin Andrews’ longtime FOX bestie Charissa Thompson finally breaks her silence on the award Snb…See More details.

In the high-stakes world of sports broadcasting, where the spotlight can shift faster than a fourth-quarter comeback, the 2025 Sports Emmy nominations have stirred up more than just applause. Amazon Prime Video’s Kaylee Hartung has emerged as a breakout star, clinching her first Emmy nod for Outstanding Personality/Sideline Reporter—a milestone that’s both a testament to her skill and a plot twist in the ongoing narrative of NFL sideline reporting. But for Charissa Thompson, a seasoned FOX Sports veteran and one-half of the beloved “Calm Down” podcast duo with Erin Andrews, the absence of her name on the nominee list has sparked a candid conversation about recognition, resilience, and reinvention. After weeks of speculation, Thompson has finally broken her silence on the snub, and it’s a moment that feels as raw as a post-game locker room interview.

The Rise of Kaylee Hartung
Kaylee Hartung’s ascent in the sports media landscape has been nothing short of meteoric. Since joining Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football in 2022, she’s carved out a niche as a sideline reporter who balances poise with authenticity. Her role requires her to be present without stealing the show, delivering insights that enhance the broadcast without overshadowing the action. The 2025 Emmy nomination, one of 21 nods for Prime Video’s live sports coverage, feels like a coronation for Hartung, who’s built an impressive resume with stints at CBS News, ESPN, CNN, ABC News, and NBC Sports.

“Kaylee’s nomination is a nod to her ability to connect with viewers while navigating the chaos of an NFL sideline,” said industry analyst Sarah Michaels. “She’s got this knack for being in the right place at the right time—both literally and figuratively.” Hartung herself has remained gracious, telling Us Weekly about the camaraderie she shares with colleagues like Thompson, noting, “Charissa and I were friends before we were ever on Thursday Night Football together.”

But while Hartung’s star rises, the lack of recognition for Thompson has cast a shadow over what should’ve been a celebratory moment for women in sports media.
Charissa Thompson’s Snub: A Bitter Pill
For Charissa Thompson, the Emmy snub isn’t just a professional slight—it’s personal. With over a decade at FOX Sports, Thompson has been a fixture in NFL coverage, known for her quick wit, unfiltered commentary, and chemistry with co-hosts like Erin Andrews. Yet, when the Emmy nominations dropped on April 10, 2025, her name was conspicuously absent, while Hartung’s was front and center. The contrast couldn’t have been starker, and Thompson didn’t shy away from addressing it.

In a recent episode of the Calm Down podcast, Thompson opened up about the oversight, her tone a mix of defiance and introspection. “Look, I’m not going to pretend it doesn’t sting,” she said. “You pour your heart into this job—late nights, early mornings, running through stadium tunnels in heels—and you hope someone notices. But sometimes, the spotlight swings somewhere else.” Her words resonate with anyone who’s felt overlooked in a competitive field, but they also hint at a deeper frustration with an industry that often pits women against each other.

The snub comes at a particularly turbulent time for Thompson. Her 2023 admission about fabricating sideline reports during her early career sparked a firestorm of criticism, with some fans and insiders speculating that the controversy may have tainted her Emmy prospects. Though she clarified on Instagram that she never attributed false quotes to players or coaches, the fallout lingered. “I chose my words poorly, and I own that,” she wrote at the time. “But it’s tough when one mistake overshadows years of work.”

Erin Andrews: Caught in the Middle
Erin Andrews, Thompson’s longtime friend and podcast co-host, finds herself in an awkward position. As a FOX Sports icon who’s weathered her own share of scrutiny, Andrews has been a vocal supporter of Thompson, often hyping her up on Calm Down and social media. But with Hartung’s nomination stealing the headlines, Andrews has stayed relatively quiet, focusing instead on her own post-FOX ventures, including her WEAR clothing line and a revamped podcast featuring her husband, Jarret Stoll, and Thompson’s partner, Steven Cundari.

“Erin’s in a tough spot,” said media commentator Rachel Nguyen. “She’s got loyalty to Charissa, but she also knows Kaylee’s earned her moment. It’s like choosing between your best friend and the new kid who’s killing it at work.” Andrews did offer a subtle nod to Hartung’s achievement on Instagram, posting, “Big congrats to all the women shining this year,” but stopped short of addressing Thompson’s snub directly.

The dynamic between Andrews and Thompson remains unshakable, though. Their podcast, a 300-plus-episode juggernaut, thrives on their ability to laugh through life’s highs and lows—whether it’s Andrews confessing her online shopping addiction or Thompson ranting about lazy daters. “Charissa’s my family,” Andrews said recently, a two-word testament to a bond that no award snub could break.

A New Chapter for Thompson
If the Emmy snub was a gut punch, Thompson’s response has been a masterclass in pivoting. Rather than dwell on the oversight, she’s channeling her energy into bold new ventures. In a surprising announcement via Instagram, Thompson revealed she’ll be joining Blue Origin’s New Shepard Mission NS-31 as part of its first all-female crew—an out-of-this-world move that’s as audacious as it sounds. “Let’s goooooooo!” she captioned the post, signaling a shift from the sideline to the stratosphere.

The move has sparked mixed reactions. Some fans see it as a brilliant reinvention, while others wonder if it’s a way to sidestep the fallout from her FOX exit and the Emmy snub. “Charissa’s always been a risk-taker,” said sports journalist Mark Daniels. “This feels like her saying, ‘If the industry won’t give me my flowers, I’ll go plant my own—on the moon.’”
Thompson’s departure from FOX, alongside Andrews, marks the end of an era. Both women’s contracts expired after Super Bowl LIX in February 2025, and while Andrews has hinted at a relaxed future (joking about a “retirement community in Florida”), Thompson is diving headfirst into new projects. Her work with Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football continues, and her Calm Down podcast remains a fan favorite, blending humor with heartfelt moments like Thompson’s recent reflection on her dating life and decision to forgo marriage. “I’m never getting married again,” she told Andrews. “We’ve talked it out, and I’m good.”

The Bigger Picture: Women in Sports Media
The Thompson-Hartung saga underscores a broader tension in sports media: the delicate balance of celebrating new talent while honoring veterans. Hartung’s clean record and fresh perspective have made her a darling of the industry, but Thompson’s snub raises questions about how recognition is doled out. “It’s not just about one award,” said Nguyen. “It’s about an industry that often forces women to compete for a limited number of seats at the table.”

For every Kaylee Hartung basking in her first nomination, there’s a Charissa Thompson grappling with the weight of past mistakes and present oversights. Yet, both women are pushing the needle forward—Hartung by proving sideline reporting can be both understated and impactful, and Thompson by refusing to let a snub define her legacy.

What’s Next?
As the Emmy ceremony approaches, all eyes will be on Hartung, who’s favored to take home the award. But don’t count Thompson out. Her Blue Origin adventure and continued presence on Thursday Night Football suggest she’s far from done making waves. Meanwhile, Andrews and Thompson’s podcast pivot promises to keep their voices in the mix, with fans eagerly awaiting the chaos of their husbands joining the mic.