Natalie Morales was pictured for the first time beaming after DailyMail.com revealed she will be heading to save 'The Talk' after Sharon Osbourne's disastrous exit from the show.
The former West Coast host of NBC's Today Show and Dateline correspondent was all smiles as she walked her dogs with her husband Joe Rhodes in Santa Monica on Friday.
She was spotted on the same day she announced she would be stepping down from NBC News after a 22 year career.
DailyMail.com exclusively revealed on Friday that Morales will replace Shannon Osbourne on 'The Talk' after she was ousted from the show earlier this year following a racially charged discussion with fellow co-host Sheryl Underwood.
Dressed casually in a paisley top, denim jacket, and sneakers, the 49-year-old was seen speaking on the phone clearly very delighted while she walked her pup.
Just ahead of Morales was her husband who was also walking another of their dogs.
Natalie Morales is all smiles as she talks on the phone while walking her dogs on Friday
Casually dressed in jeans and sneakers, the journalist went for an evening stroll on Friday
Morales takes a phone call as her husband Joe Rhodes walks ahead of her during their stroll on Friday
Morales was spotted in Santa Monica for the first time since the news of her new gig at 'The Talk' was announced
Morales was caught up in her phone while she walked her dog with her husband
The 49-year-old journalist looked happy and relaxed on her evening stroll as news of her departure from the Today Show was announced
Executives at 'The Talk' told DailyMail.com that they hope Morales can get the show back on track after Osbourne's controversial departure.
Osbourne, 68, left the show earlier this year after she and co-host Sheryl Underwood engaged in an explosive debate. She claimed the incident was orchestrated to make her look like a racist for defending long-time friend Piers Morgan, who had himself been called a racist for criticizing Duchess Meghan Markle.
Osbourne later issued an apology for her 'panicked' defense of Morgan and The Talk was placed on hiatus as an internal investigation was launched.
Allegations soon emerged that Osbourne made racist remarks about co-hosts behind the scenes at The Talk - claims which she has staunchly denied.
On March 26 CBS announced Osbourne would be leaving her post on the show after more than a decade.
'We need to save the show after the disastrous exit of Sharon Osbourne,' a CBS source told DailyMail.com.
'Natalie is a beloved star of news and her gravitas can help us turn The Talk around.
Another CBS source said: 'With Natalie joining Jerry, we believe we have the opportunity to float and fix a sinking ship.'
NBC declined to comment. DailyMail.com has reached out to CBS for comment.
Morales herself confirmed the reports of her departure, saying she would be pursuing a new opportunity as she steps down from the Today show and will wrap up her work on Dateline in the coming weeks.
