Nancy O’Dell Speaks Out About Trump’s ‘Crass Comments’: Journalist ‘Saddened’ And Disappointed

Nancy O’Dell is, according to Access Hollywood, the married woman who rebuffed the advances of Donald Trump, as described in a secret recording between the Republican nominee and Billy Bush that was recently leaked. O’Dell has come forward to address the lewd comments about women made by Trump in the 2005 tape. The entertainment reporter worked with Billy Bush at Access Hollywood at the time the tape was made.

O’Dell spoke out on a statement issued on Saturday afternoon on the Entertainment Tonight website. She is currently a host of the TV show, Entertainment Tonight.

“Politics aside, I’m saddened that these comments still exist in our society at all. When I heard the comments yesterday, it was disappointing to hear such objectification of women. The conversation needs to change because no female, no person, should be the subject of such crass comments, whether or not cameras are rolling. Everyone deserves respect no matter the setting or gender. As a woman who has worked very hard to establish her career, and as a mom, I feel I must speak out with the hope that as a society we will always strive to be better.”

Access Hollywood‘s current anchor, Natalie Morales, reported on the details surrounding the audio recording, which addresses other women besides O’Dell, and includes Trump stating that because he is a “star,” he is able to kiss any woman he desires and can even go as far as to “grab” their genitals. Bush is also heard on the tape and seems to be egging Trump on and joining in on the crude talk.

Joe Biden on Trump’s tape: ‘It’s not lewd. It’s sexual assault.’ https://t.co/8XLcDVkfwH pic.twitter.com/SZmyzWTFEj

— The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) October 8, 2016

Morales explained that O’Dell and Bush were co-hosts of Access Hollywood for five years until her departure from the entertainment news magazine in 2009. Just this spring, Bush replaced Morales on Today, and Morales took Bush’s spot as anchor of Access Hollywood.

At the time the recording was made, Trump was in L.A. to attend the Emmy awards in mid-September 2005. His reality show, The Apprentice, had been nominated for an award. As part of a promotion for Access Hollywood’s 10th anniversary, Bush was sent on a tour bus to pick up the future presidential hopeful.

Morales explained that the recording was not a result of a mic inadvertently left live while two men engaged in conversation. She said there were nine people on the bus at the time the controversial comments were made. Trump, who was 59 at the time, was recently married, and had a baby on the way, told Bush that he had unsuccessfully tried to bed O’Dell.

“I moved on her like a (expletive), but I couldn’t get there and she was married.”

Trump added that he saw O’Dell after that, and that because she now had breast implants and “totally changed her look,” he no longer thought O’Dell was attractive.

Trump’s comments, viewed by many as Trump endorsements of sexually assaulting women, objectifying women, and misogynistic views, as reported by Inquisitr, have resulted in a loss of support among high-ranking Republicans, including Sen. John McCain.

There are no excuses for Donald Trump’s offensive behavior. Cindy & I will not vote for him. My full stmt: https://t.co/MOw0rx4LSI

— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) October 8, 2016

CNN reports O’Dell, a graduate of Clemson University, was in the top 2 percent of her class and was recently given an honorary doctorate by the university. Before joining Access Hollywood, O’Dell was a local reporter and anchor in Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Miami. She is well-regarded as an entertainment journalist and author, and has won three Associated Press Awards and an Emmy for her work.

In addition, O’Dell’s official website, nancyodell.com, lists many more honors and awards that she has won for her work as an entertainment journalist, as well as the many charitable endeavors O’Dell supports. O’Dell is also an actress with numerous film and television credits.

In addition to supporting various charities, O’Dell is an advocate for finding a cure for Lou Gehrig’s Disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which took the life of her own mother. O’Dell is a spokeswoman for the cause’s website. In 2015, she acted as a global ambassador for the Special Olympics World Games.

[Featured Image by Matt Sayles/AP Images]