After months of rumors that Giuliana Rancic was doing everything in her power to get Maria Manounos fired from E! News, it looks like the 40-year-old Red Carpet correspondent is instead bowing out. According to the latest gossip news updates, the Fashion Police cohost has had a problem with Mario Lopez' former Extra sidekick since the day she was cast and has chosen to leave after 14-years on the job simply because she couldn't stand working with her. While some folks seem to contend that Rancic was pushed out to make way for Menounos, the Giuliana & Bill star insists that the decision to leave was "100 percent" her own.
Although the official story has it that Giulana Rancic is just ready to move on to greener pastures after nearly a decade-and-a-half with E! News, rumor has it her exit has a lot more to do with Maria Menounos' recently getting hired than she is willing to admit.
One behind the scenes source that Fox News spoke to claims that Giuliana determined long ago that she would never work with Maria for very long:
"It's the battle of the b*tches. They're like oil and water. They cannot stand each other.
"They've always been rivals. Maria sees Giuliana as competition and it goes back years.
"They never speak and they won't appear on-set together. It's kind of unspoken that if she is in the building, Giuliana wants nothing to do with her."
Another inside informant in the August 3, issue of Life & Style explained that Giuliana even made sure to take a parting shot and Menounos, when Rancic announced she was leaving the show:
"Giuliana was supposed to name Maria as her successor when she made her announcement, but instead of allowing Maria her moment in the spotlight, Giuliana refused to recognize her.
"It was an outright diss from Giuliana."
While all the recent stories of contention between Rancic and Menounos has plenty of folks wondering if Giuliana was pushed out more than actually choosing to leave on her own, the Fashion Police cohost told People that if E! News had their way she would definitely still be there:
"It was 100 percent my decision to leave. I brought up the idea to leave three years ago, but E! News kept extending me because they wanted me to stay.
"It's been an incredible journey. But after 14 years, I have nothing else to accomplish on the show."
What do you think?
Is Giuliana just trying to save face after virtually being recast right in front of her face?
Or, is Maria Menounos lucky that Rancic finally decided to move on and give her a shot?
Let us know how you feel in the comment field below.
