Emmy Red Carpet Hosts Giuliana Rancic & Vivica A. Fox Pulled From Show After COVID-19 Positive Test

The 72nd Primetime Emmy Award Ceremony on Sunday narrowly missed becoming the source of another COVID-19 outbreak when two of its hosts tested positive for the virus. The hosts, Giuliana Rancic and Vivica A. Fox, ultimately missed the show and were replaced by Brad Goreski and Nina Parker.

Rancic, longtime E! news anchor and frequent red carpet co-hostess, released a statement on E! and Instagram apologizing for her absence.

“I do not take missing an award show lightly, but unfortunately this year is just so different,” Rancic said. “As part of E! and NBCUniversal’s very strict testing guidelines, especially before an event like this, I did find out that I tested positive for COVID-19. Now as much as I didn’t want to hear that, I’m very thankful I heard it before I traveled and possibly could have exposed other people. So for that, I’m thankful.”

Her announcement was met with well-wishers and critics alike, as two weeks before she had posted a video from a beach trip with family and friends. Commenters had called her out for socializing during a pandemic both under the initial September 7 post and her COVID-19 announcement.

Fox also released a statement during the Emmys Pre-show where she apologized for missing the ceremony.

“Unfortunately, I have tested positive for coronavirus. So, in an abundance of caution, I am isolating myself at home,” she said. “During these unprecedented times, it’s more important than ever that we follow all safety and health rules and guidelines to protect ourselves and each other.”

Yesterday, however, Fox announced that she took a secondary test in which she tested negative. She celebrated with posts on Instagram and Twitter, noting that the first test was self-administered and the second was conducted by a medical professional, and her fans celebrated with her in the comments.

“The world needs to know you had a false positive,” White House correspondent April D. Ryan commented.

“Glad you’re well, Ms. Fox!” stand-up Sampson McCormick also replied.

Replacement host Goreski made several posts celebrating his newfound role at the ceremony, and wishing both Rancic and Fox well.

Parker also made a few posts from the Emmys, thanking God for her return to the red carpet.