Joy Taylor makes public FOX Sports appearance after lawsuit allegations
Joy Taylor appeared on Monday's episode of 'Speak' on FOX alongside Michael Irvin, Keyshawn Johnson, and Paul Pierce after being named in a 42-page lawsuit on Sunday
Despite being named in former FOX employee Noushin Faraji's 42-page lawsuit, host Joy Taylor appeared on her regularly scheduled episode of 'Speak' on Monday.
Faraji named Taylor in the lawsuit, claiming she slept with both FOX Sports executive Charlie Dixon and on-air talent Emmanuel Acho to advance her career. Acho was absent from 'Speak' on Monday - Taylor appeared alongside Michael Irving, Keyshawn Johnson, and Paul Pierce during the show's regularly scheduled 5 pm EST time slot.
Acho, notably active on X during NFL Sundays, did not tweet after 1:08 PM when he commented on Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys. He posted a video on Monday of his appearance on 'The Facility' discussing the Detroit Lions.
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Acho was a sixth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2012 and spent parts of four seasons in the NFL before transitioning into a media role. He replaced Jason Whitlock as a contributor on 'Speak for Yourself' in 2020 and stayed on as the show rebranded to 'Speak." He also hosted a season of 'The Bachelor' on ABC and is a co-host of 'The Facility' on FOX Sports.
"In approximately February 2020, Ms. Taylor asked Ms. Faraji to meet her for lunch in Beverly Hills," a subsection of the suit read. "When Mr. Faraji arrived, she found Ms. Taylor with a man, Emmanuel Acho ("Mr. Acho"). Ms. Faraji did not know Mr. Acho but could tell that the two were romantically involved.
"A few months after meeting Mr. Acho at the lunch, Ms. Faraji noticed him in the hallway while at work. Ms. Faraji later asked Ms. Taylor if Mr. Acho also worked at Fox. Ms. Taylor confirmed and explained that she wanted Mr. Acho to eventually recommend her on the show 'Speak for Yourself.'
"Ms. Faraji became alarmed and warned Ms. Taylor that she should probably not sleep with Mr. Dixon and Mr. Acho at the same time, as Mr. Dixon is a very powerful man that may become very angry."
Taylor allegedly explained she had a contingency plan. "Ms. Taylor told her not to worry about it," the lawsuit continued. "She explained that she was also now powerful, and once Mr. Dixon was no longer useful to her, she would follow through on her plan to tell the company that he forced himself on her. She would not allow herself to be forced out by Mr. Dixon like other women talent."
Taylor and Acho have not yet responded to the allegations but have been approached by Mirror U.S. Sports for comment.