I believe this is from oliviafox.com
NEWS RELEASE
Olivia Fox, the ‘Queen’ of Morning Drive Time, Is Dismissed by Radio One
WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 11, 2002 – Olivia Fox, the popular award-winning co-host of the nationally syndicated Russ Parr Morning Show With Olivia Fox, was abruptly terminated from her job Dec. 6 by Radio One.
Known as the Queen of “telling it like it is,” Ms. Fox issued the following statement: “Due to the decision of management of Radio One, Inc., I am no longer employed with Radio One. I have always and will continue to maintain the integrity of all women. Look for me at a new station coming real soon. Thanks for all the years of support.”
Radio One and Ms. Fox had been in negotiations for continuing her contract, which was scheduled to expire December 2003. Ms. Fox had accepted Radio One’s offer to increase her compensation for next year, but had asked for increases in the years to come that would be commensurate with her contribution to the popular morning show, which was syndicated in some 30 markets, including such major markets as Boston, Detroit, St. Louis, Dallas and, of course, Washington. In the midst of those negotiations, which had been proceeding amicably, Radio One unilaterally decided to halt the discussions and abruptly terminated her employment without cause.
In making her departure, Ms. Fox stated, “I want to express my deep appreciation for all of my loyal fans – the young people, the sisters and brothers, the community leaders and the ministers – everyone who has stood with me over the years. So many called in regularly that in many cases we became good friends. They are the best fans in the world, and I just love them all.”
She added, “I also want to say that it was a pleasure working with Radio One and Russ Parr for the last six and a half years. I want to express my appreciation for the opportunity to work with them and participate in great radio and great times.”
Ms. Fox had worked with Russ Parr on the Russ Parr Morning Show With Olivia Fox since 1996, and she had helped make the show one of the highest rated radio programs in the country, building it from a base at Washington’s 93.9 WKYS to being syndicated to a growing list of stations across the country.
Ms. Fox’s no-nonsense approach was immensely appealing to not only the core 18-34 demographic audience, but also to a broad spectrum of listeners who found her straight talk refreshingly candid as well as hilarious. In particular, women of all ages, but especially the youth, were loyal and avid fans of her edgy, even defiant way of holding her own, giving as well as getting, with Russ Parr and the three other men who joined in the morning drive time chatter about relationships, clothes, personalities, sports and a wide range of other topics.
“My father early on taught me how to ‘play the dozens,’” the St. Louis-native says, “and when you’re on live morning radio you have to be good and you have to be quick.”
Adding to her spunky and outrageously funny repartee, Ms. Fox was also known for her original character voices and catch phrases – including everything from her classic “possum loving trailer park lady,” to “Beggin Benny,” “Big Shirley,” “Sister Butteruh,” Shaneka Shawanna Malika Tawanna Brown,” “Maria Alia Conchita Consuelo,” and her trademark “Whatever Hater.” She was also co-creator of the “Wrong Song” parties and the feature that was extremely popular among her female listeners “Slice of Life.”
In addition to winning the daily loyalty of millions of listeners – many of whom are almost cult-like in their following and are now voicing their displeasure with her departure from the show in e-mails to her website – Ms. Fox helped the show win several national awards. Included among the awards are the March of Dimes award for “Best Morning Drive Show for Washington, D.C.”, being voted the #1 Morning Show in Washington D.C. by Washingtonian Magazine and Impact Magazine’s #1 Radio Personality of the Year” award.
Over the years, the Russ Parr Morning Show With Olivia Fox from time to time came out number one in the Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Va., Arbitron ratings. The Show was recently nominated for the Billboard/Airplay Monitor Radio Award.
As for the future, Ms. Fox has many plans. She says, “I have been thinking about developing a concept for television. And then there is always the possibility of acting on television or in film. But of course, there is a good chance I will stay in radio. My phone is already ringing off the hook with inquiries from other radio outlets.” She also talks about doing voice-overs, starting a product development and marketing corporation and even motherhood.
Meanwhile, she has her hands full with her other pursuits. She recently founded the National Association of Preventive Kidney Care and Counseling, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to educating the community about kidney disease. She is also a member of the board of directors of the National Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP), which is headed by Dr. Clive O. Callender, a leading Washington transplant surgeon and chief of surgery at Howard University Hospital. MOTTEP is a national organization committed to the struggle to fight kidney disease through greater awareness and education regarding organ donations and organ transplants.
Olivia Fox is passionate about many things. At the top of her list is “inspiring young people to be everything they are capable of being.” She is also an avowed defender of the dignity of women who may not fit into the ideal stereotype that society has created for them.
Ultimately, she says, “To be successful, you must have a plan, be determined, dedicated and be prepared to pay some dues. But always remember, through prayer all things are possible.”
Listeners, fans, and interested others can get updates and more information on Ms. Fox’s website:
www.oliviafox.com.
On Friday, Dec. 13, from 1 to 2 p.m., fans and anybody else who is interested are invited to participate in a open online chat with Ms. Fox by logging on to her website.
. But I am surprised. I have read rumors that she had a bad attitude but did she get into it with a celeb on air or cuss out Cathy Hughes? Otherwise, this seems extreme and sudden to me. What a change for that show.
message boards this weekend and there were tons of pics of her there and now all of them suckas are gone. I had finally developed an idea of what she looked like as well as the peanut gallery -- B Plus, LAzy and Supa. 
Hybrid Mode
