Joy Taylor Returns to FS1’s ‘Speak’ After Bombshell Lawsuit Shakes Fox Sports

On Monday, January 6, 2025, FS1 host Joy Taylor appeared on her evening television show “Speak,” just one day after a lawsuit filed by former Fox Sports hairstylist Noushin Faraji revealed serious allegations concerning Taylor’s personal and professional conduct.

The lawsuit, first reported by Front Office Sports, also names Fox Sports, Skip Bayless, and executive Charlie Dixon among the defendants.

Taylor commenced the show alongside her co-hosts Keyshawn Johnson, Paul Pierce, and Michael Irvin, stating, “Welcome to ‘Speak!’ I’m Joy Taylor here with Keyshawn Johnson, Paul Pierce, and the playmaker Michael Irvin.” The team proceeded with their regular NFL discussions, despite an undercurrent of tension.

Joy Taylor appears on her evening show Speak one day after being named a defendant in the FS1 workplace misconduct lawsuit. pic.twitter.com/8frHl3stMY

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 6, 2025

The lawsuit alleges that Taylor made racially insensitive comments towards Faraji and engaged in sexual relations with a Fox Sports executive and an on-air talent to advance her career.

Specifically, Faraji claims that after confiding in Taylor about an incident where Dixon allegedly groped her at a party in January 2017, Taylor dismissed her concerns, telling her to “get over it.”

Following the end of their friendship, Taylor is accused of insulting Faraji on both personal and professional levels.

Emmanuel Acho, the FS1 talent alleged in the lawsuit to have had a consensual relationship with Taylor, appeared on his show “The Facility” on Monday morning. Acho is not listed as a defendant in the suit.

Former FS1 host Skip Bayless, also accused of serious misconduct in the lawsuit, continued his public engagements without addressing the allegations. Bayless is alleged to have offered Faraji $1.5 million for sexual favors and to have made inappropriate physical advances.

In response to the lawsuit, Fox Sports issued a statement to Front Office Sports, saying, “We take these allegations seriously and have no further comment at this time given this pending litigation.”

Faraji’s attorney expressed optimism about the case, stating, “Our client looks forward to being vindicated and hopes this will compel Fox to take meaningful and substantial steps to address and resolve the toxic workplace that has impacted her and many of her colleagues.”

As the situation unfolds, those implicated in the lawsuit, including Taylor and Bayless, appear to be maintaining their regular professional activities, opting not to publicly address the allegations at this time.