News Anchor Lisa LaFlamme has reportedly been fired from her gig on a Canadian news programme because she went grey.
The Globe and Mail published an article by journalist Robyn Doolittle, who reported that Michael Melling, the head of CTV News, where LaFlamme worked, commented on her hair change. In a senior leadership meeting, he asked who had approved the decision to “let Lisa go grey?”.
Not long after, Melling was the one that broke the news to LaFlamme that she was being axed, the reports said.
CTV News has denied any claims that ‘greyness’ was the cause of LaFlamme’s firing.
In a two-minute Twitter video, LaFlamme said she was “shocked and saddened” to be let go from her role.
She added: “At 58, I still thought I’d have a lot more time to tell more of the stories that impact our daily lives. It is crushing to be leaving CTV National News in a manner that is not my choice.”
I have some news… pic.twitter.com/lTe3Rs0kOA
— Lisa LaFlamme (@LisaLaFlamme_) August 15, 2022
Still, despite CTV’s denial of the claims, the news of her axing and the rumours surrounding it have quickly gone viral. Wendy’s even changed its logo to a grey-haired girl.
70 Prominent Canadians write an OPEN LETTER to Bell Media demanding they ‘make things right’ for Lisa LaFlamme and the public.
On the list are Anne Murray, bestselling author Louise Penny, entrepreneur and philanthropist Jim Balsillie and former PM Kim Campbell
Full list below pic.twitter.com/UuG9WKBdi1
— G.T. Lem 林 家 聰 (@gtlem) August 27, 2022
CNN has an all-women panel discussing #LisaLaFlamme and just savaging the Bell Media execs who messed with her. #cdnpoli
— Jonathan Scott (@J_Scott_) August 30, 2022
Because a ⭐️ is a ⭐️ regardless of hair colour. #LisaLaFlamme #NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/g7i7kqwYrw
— Wendy's 🇨🇦 (@WendysCanada) August 25, 2022
Ya, firing Lisa Laflamme had nothing to do with ageism or sexism says head of Bell Media. He's convinced. It's a business decision that just happens to lead to a younger, male news anchor. Phew! Thank goodness we cleared that up! #BellMedia #lisalaflamme
— Rs Everywhere (@cape_company) August 29, 2022
In a statement, CTV’s parent company, Bell Media, said LaFlamme’s removal as the anchor was a response to “changing viewer habits.”
